Gaddafi's ouster to impact Tanzania

THE ouster and subsequent killing of the former Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi, may adversely affect an agreement reached between Tanzania and Libya to train Kiswahili teachers for Libyan schools.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, Prof Hamis Dihenga told the 'Daily News' in Dar es Salaam on Monday that the late Gaddafi had expressed interest to recruit Kiswahili teachers from Tanzania.

''There was a deal between our governments and Gaddafi was mainly interested in getting Kiswahili teachers from our colleges and universities, he expressed the desire to get teachers from our country shortly after the University of Dodoma (UDOM) was inaugurated,'' he said.

Prof Dihenga noted that to start with, Gaddafi wanted 70 teachers but more teachers would have been sent to Libya as the need arises.

''We are looking forward to hear from the new government in Libya, we do not know whether they will be interested in getting Kiswahili teachers from our country,'' he said.

Prof Dihenga, however, noted that the government will continue to encourage more students who are interested in education to specialize in Kiswahili as their teaching subject, adding that the market is growing fast.