Better roads contributes to increased pupil’s school attendance and

Mgaza primary school in Mindu ward, Morogoro Region is one of the recently constructed schools, but due to poor road networks, pupils have been facing transport challenges while going to school and coming back home.

The road going to the school poses risk to pupils has turned into a danger and a threat to a large number of students due to the road they go to and from school being eaten by a water canyon for a large part and becoming dangerous especially during the rainy season passing through the area.

This reporter visited the school and some surrounding villages where she spoke to both, pupils and the villagers. They are both concerned that despite the President’s efforts which includes disbursement of 420m/- for construction of Mgaza primary schools, roads heading to the school are in poor condition and sometimes become impassable especially during rains.

They also raised concerns that if necessary measures are not taken, the road will be cut off in near future, resulting in children’s failure to access it. A section of the road from Bondwa area to the school has been extremely damaged, forcing pupils and other users to use an alternative road dug by villagers.

 “We appreciate efforts by the government in improving learning environment at our schools as well as constructing new ones including Mgaza primary school which has started receiving pupils this January. We appeal to the government to also improve road infrastructures to and from school to enable pupils to reach at the school on time,” said Tunu Omary, a resident of Mgaza Street.

She added: “My two children were enrolled for early childhood education at the school; but they miss classes during rains because the road becomes impassable.”

Eric Fabian said that improvement of the road ging to Mgaza primary school would also serve students studying at Bondwa secondary school and other users.

“The school was opened in the past few weeks, we have seen leaders inspecting the buildings; but we are not sure if they have plans to also construct the road going to the school. We thank the President for constructing a school near our residences, but regional leaders should consider improving the road to ensure safety of pupils especially during rains,” said Fabian.

A ten cell leader at Mgaza Street, Iddi Salum appealed to the Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA) to construct the road as it poses risks to users. He said the road requires a Bridge to connect Mgaza and Lugala Streets, insisting that communication between the two streets has been completely cut off and villagers cannot move from one side to another.

Mgaza Street Chairman, Specioza Modeli said they are aware of the transport challenges facing both villagers and pupils, saying the matter has been reported to higher authorities at regional level. She said they have written a letter to TARURA asking them to repair the road.

“I recently mobilized villagers to re-dig the road; but due to extreme rains, it has been damaged further. We can longer continue repairing it as the destruction is huge,” said Modeli, adding that TARURA official have promised to repair the road in near future.

 Mindu Ward Councillor, Zuberi Mkalaboko said regional authorities must take measures to repair the road to enable pupils to attend classes all week days even when it rains. He said the road has been seriously damaged during the on-going rains cutting off communication between Mgaza and other streets.

TARURA Manager in Morogoro Region, Eng Mohamed Muanda, acknowledged the challenge of the road, saying the authority is working to improve its condition as well as other roads within the municipality. He said road was previously in good condition, but it has been further damaged by the on-going rains.

“Most of the roads have been damaged due to on-going rains; section of the road connecting Mgaza and Bondwa streets has been cut-off. We are aware of the challenges that pupils and villagers face. We are now looking for a contractor to re-construct the road so that it becomes passable throughout the year,” said the TAURUA boss, noting other roads on the Lugala and Mindu side will also be repaired.

Eng Muanda noted that they are aware of contribution of villagers in repairing the road, saying the government’s intention is to see pupils enjoying the learning environment which includes the presence of better roads.

He urged citizens especially those residing in the urban areas to take precautions and make sure they do not block water passage ways and drainages. He warned that throwing wastes in water drainage would ultimately cause floods, thus damaging roads and their properties.