TARIME District Commissioner, Maj. Edward Gowele, has announced that the district's primary and secondary schools are facing challenges of desks due to a significant increase in pupil enrolment after parents and guardians responded to the government's call to send children to school.

Maj. Gowele shared his feeling  over the weekend after the donation  of 215 desks to Kewanja Primary School. About a total of 9,000 desks worth 898m/-  will be distributed across schools in Tarime   district  ouncil, Mara Region.

The desks are part of Twiga Minerals’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme—a joint venture between the   government and Barrick North Mara Gold Mine.

He expressed gratitude to the mine for funding the initiative to address the desks shortage, noting that the large donation of desks, chairs, and tables highlights the mine's commitment to improving education infrastructure in the region.

"We expect the  desks will   significantly alleviate the current shortage. We appreciate the mine’s effective implementation of this project," said Maj. Gowele.

He also commended President Samia Suluhu Hassan for creating a conducive investment environment, which benefits the nation. He highlighted Barrick’s substantial investment in community development within the district as a positive example.

The District Commissioner urged the mine to fast track the donation process of     the remaining desks, adding that Mara Regional Commissioner, Col. Evans Mtambi, expects another batch of desks soon.

Mwita Magige, a representative of the chairperson of the Tarime District Council, said the donation of over 9,000 desks fulfills a resolution by the district's councillors.

"The desks will be distributed based on the needs of each school, ensuring no pupil will have to sit on the floor. The council has also allocated 300m/- from local revenue sources for desks production," said Magige, who is also the councillor for Nyamwaga Ward.

Marina Ngailo, the acting primary school education officer in Tarime district, stated that the desks will enhance pupils performance and reduce  absenteeism.

"We are grateful to the mine and the government for this initiative. We believe it will help improve exam results and reduce absenteeism by solving the issue of students sitting on the floor," said Ngailo.

Francis Uhadi, the mine’s community relations manager, added that local contractors have been awarded the desk-manufacturing contracts.

"This desk-manufacturing project is part of 101 community projects being implemented in   Tarime District Council this year as part of the mine's 9bn/- CSR initiative," said Uhadi.