THE government of Japan has donated 191m/- for the construction of girls' hostels at Tarakea Secondary School, in Rombo District, Kilimanjaro Region.

The signing ceremony of the deal, between the Japanese Ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Masaki Okada, and the school's headmaster, Mr Martin Kija, was held in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

Mr Okada said the donation is part of Japan's Scheme of Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project (GGHSP) and was meant to ensure that Tanzanian schoolgirls' welfare is improved.

The hostels, according to Mr Okada, would accommodate at least 64 girls, who are living far from the school. "This project will among other things, encourage girls to pull up their socks in their studies for it has been established that long distance was the main reason for their failure," he said.

Reports from Tarakea Secondary School show that about 30 girls were failing to complete their studies due to long distances and family problems, thus if the situation was left unchecked it would get worse.

In his remarks, Tarakea Secondary School Headmaster Mr Martin Kija commended the Japanese government for its unlimited support in the education sector.

He said the construction of the hostels at his school was the best move to improve academic performance amongst girls for they will have ample time for studies.

"The project will highly improve the performance of our students it will also help enhance our school's vision of producing well learned people for the betterment of the society and Tanzania as whole," Mr Kija noted.