State commits to improve teachers’ welfare
PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continue improving the welfare of teachers by addressing all challenges they are facing.
She acknowledged the crucial role that teachers are playing for the development of the country, insisting that her determination to work on the challenges that teachers are facing remains intact.
The Head of State made the statement in her tweet through her twitter handle @SuluhuSamia on Wednesday as the world was marking World Teachers Day.
“Today we are marking World Teachers Day. My best wishes to all the teachers on this day. Your role in nation building is priceless. My pledge, which we as the government continue to implement, is to ensure your welfare is improved, and reflects your great contribution,” she said.
Her latest tweet cements further the promises that she made in December last year, during the closing event of a three–day meeting for headteachers organised by Global Education Link (GEL) and Tanzania Head of Secondary Schools Association (TAHOSSA).
On the day, President Samia phoned the then Minister for Education, Science and Technology Prof Joyce Ndalichako, who was the guest of honour of the event.
“I planned to attend this meeting, unfortunately I didn’t make it because of other commitments, but I want to assure you that I’m aware of all the challenges that teachers are facing and I will work on them,” she said.
She also encouraged teachers to continue fulfilling their responsibilities for the national interest, insisting that the government will continue working on their issues accordingly.
During her speech, Prof Ndalichako reminded teachers to observe the guidelines when punishing their students.
Some of the teachers have been violating the guidelines on issuing punishment to the students, a move that creates fear and hatred among students.
She also expressed concern about the presence of some schools which deny students from having leave by forcing them to remain at school and pay for remedial studies.
“Leave is a basic right to all students; this provides them with an opportunity to refresh their mind, meet their relatives and friends,” she said, noting that all remedial studies should get an approval from the education officers.
On Wednesday, President Samia also guaranteed standard seven pupils that no passing student will miss out on an opportunity to join Ordinary Level studies.
Having abolished school fees, the government’s commitment to ensure every Tanzanian child pursues education to the best of their abilities is now on setting up adequate school facilities across the country to meet the rising demands prompted by increased enrolment.
Reaffirming her government’s resolve to improve the education sector, President Samia pledged timely completion of school infrastructures to accommodate all students who will excel in their primary school exams which concluded yesterday.
She said the government is putting in place all preparations that will make available the needed classrooms in public for the next academic year.
