1. About ESISSO

ESISSO is the official Students’ Organization of the Earth Science Institute of Shinyanga (ESIS). It is an autonomous, non?religious, non?partisan body established to represent, protect, and promote the rights and welfare of all ESIS students.

According to the constitution, ESISSO exists to “protect and promote students’ interests in all aspects of their lives during their tenure at the Institute” .

ESISSO also serves as a bridge between students and the Institute’s management, ensuring harmonious relations and active participation in academic, social, and cultural development.

2. Organizational Structure

ESISSO is structured into Top Executive Leadership, Functional Organs, and Class & Hostel Leadership.

A. Top Executive Leaders

As defined in the constitution, the top executives include:

• President
• Vice President
• Prime Minister
• Attorney General
• Secretary General

These leaders form the highest decision?making and administrative authority of the student government.

B. Functional Organs

1. The Cabinet Composed of Ministers and Deputy Ministers under the leadership of the Prime Minister. The Cabinet “executes daily activities of ESISSO for the best interest of members” and supervises ministries and student projects.
2. The Parliament (Bunge) The highest legislative body of ESISSO. It includes representatives from hostels and each course/year. Parliament approves budgets, passes laws, and oversees government accountability.
3. Disciplinary Committee Handles student disputes, discipline, and conflict resolution. Chaired by the Attorney General and includes representatives from Cabinet, Parliament, and the Administration.

C. Class & Hostel Leaders

These leaders ensure smooth academic and residential life.

• Class Leaders organize class issues, maintain discipline, and communicate academic needs.
• Hostel Leaders ensure cleanliness, discipline, and proper use of hostel facilities.

Their functions are clearly outlined in the constitution: Class leaders “organize their respective classmates for common action and represent them” while hostel leaders “ensure hostels are always clean and dwellers respect each other” .

3. Elections

ESISSO elections are democratic and held annually.

Positions Elected During General Elections

• President
• Vice President
• Members of Parliament (Bunge Representatives)

Additional Elections

• Class Chairpersons & Secretaries
• Hostel Leaders

Election Timing

General elections are held in the third week of the second semester each academic year. This is explicitly stated: “The election shall be conducted in the third week of every second semester” .

4. Who Can Contest for Leadership Positions?

General Qualifications

All contestants must:

• Be ESISSO members
• Be Tanzanian citizens
• Be cooperative, respectful, visionary, and disciplined
• Resign from any current ESISSO leadership position before contesting
• Have no disciplinary issues

Specific Qualifications

President

• Must be a second?year student
• Must have a GPA of 3.5 or above
• Gender does not matter
• Elected by simple majority vote

Vice President

• Must be a first?year student
• Must have a GPA of 3.5 or above
• Cannot present a personal manifesto; must commit to working with any elected President

These requirements are clearly stated: “The ESIS-SO President… must be a second-year student with GPA not less than 3.5… The Vice President shall come from first year class with GPA not less than 3.5.”

5. Term of Office

All ESISSO leaders—including President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Ministers, and Secretaries—serve for one academic year.

The constitution states: “The President shall hold office for one year… The Vice President shall hold office for one year… The Cabinet shall hold office for one year.”

6. Meetings

ESISSO conducts several official meetings:

A. Students’ General Meeting

• Held twice every semester
• Open to all ESISSO members
• Discusses major student issues and receives reports

B. Institute Baraza

• Meeting between all students and the Institute Management
• Chaired by the Principal
• Held once at the beginning of each semester

C. Cabinet Meetings

• Held monthly
• Can be called anytime when necessary
• Requires a quorum of 2/3 of Cabinet members

D. Parliamentary Sessions

• Held twice per semester
• Speaker may call emergency sessions

These meeting structures are defined in the constitution: “There shall be the students’ general meeting held twice per semester… Cabinet meeting once every month… Parliament meetings twice every semester.”

7. Major ESISSO Activities

Based on the constitution, ESISSO undertakes the following:

Academic & Intellectual Activities

• Debates, seminars, workshops, conferences, study tours
• Publishing journals, magazines, blogs, and online forums

Student Welfare & Advocacy

• Representing students in Institute Board meetings
• Ensuring access to books, loans, sports equipment
• Handling student grievances and disciplinary matters

Social & Cultural Activities

• Sports competitions
• Talent development (music, arts, culture)
• Health campaigns (HIV/AIDS, drug abuse)

Community & National Engagement

• Collaboration with youth organizations
• Participation in national and international student forums

These activities are grounded in the constitution: “To organize debates, seminars… to print and publish journals… to launch campaigns against diseases… to maintain fraternal relations with other students.”