The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)

Tanzania: Ndanda High School Said to Be in Bad Shape

By Abdallah Bakari, 17 January 2011

Mtwara — The once Famous Ndanda Boys High School in Masasi District, Mtwara Region, is on the verge of losing its glory reportedly after authorities abandoned it for a long time.

Buildings at the school, where a number of top leaders in the country, had studied, have dilapidated beyond a repair. It is also faced with shortage of classrooms and teachers.

Presenting the school's report during the 45th Form Six graduation ceremony over the weekend, the Ndanda headmaster, Mr Joseph Sowan, said the school now has the capacity to accommodate 300 students only.

"The school was built by missionaries in 1928 with the capacity of accommodating 300 students. There are presently 992 students," said Mr Sowani

He added: "We have a dormitory which is not currently in use due to old age... infrastructure experts have warned us not to use the badly damaged buildings."

He said classrooms, dormitories, dining hall cannot accommodate all 992 students.

The school is also not fenced, making it easy for students and soe undesirable characters to sneak in and out of the institution' premises at will.

"We have only 14 teachers instead of the required 45. The school also lacks a computer lab," he revealed.

He explained that despite the challenges facing the school, it was doing very well academically.

Last year 312 out of 380 students who completed Form Six passed their examinations and acquired qualification to join university.

About 473 students are set to sit for their final examinations next month.

In his welcome remarks to the guest of honour, Masasi MP Mariam Kasembe, the school board chairperson Mrs Agnes Mnenje, said the academic success was high discipline observed by the students.

Addressing the gathering, the MP admitted that the school faces great challenges but hailed extra efforts made by the teachers or good performance.

He promised to donate 10 computers to the school.

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  • benedictkimbache
    Jul 3 2011, 06:16
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    Its sad Story, this is the school I have studied. I can strongly agree of what writer reported that the Government has abandoned this historic school which moulded number of people who became big names in Tanzania including the former president Benjamin Mkapa, and many other officials.

    The school has been constantly receiving aid from Benedictine’s Fathers at Ndanda Abbey. The abbey was forced to do so after the isolation paid to the school from the government. I remember when I was there, there were times when we used to receive bags of beans, rice, maize etc, from the abbey, I can remember the big aid the abbey contributed were an amazing state of the art Dormitory, a newly constructed for girls., another aid was a playing grounds including the state of the art Basketball pitch, and many more. Thanks for their contribution. This aid which was given by the mission probably is what made the government not being responsible something which is absolutely ridiculous.

    Benedict Kimbache (Former student- 1995)