Experts support interviews in hiring competent teachers

MWANZA: ACADEMICS have stressed the importance of transparent written tests and interviews in efforts of hiring competent teachers who can enhance students’ academic development and employability in the future.

They encouraged job applicants in the teaching profession to face the competitive job market with courage by continuing to practice what they had been taught at their universities as roadmaps for passing written tests and interviews.

Their calls come in response to some graduates who have been asking for reinstatement of the old hiring system that allocated teachers to schools without interviews.

The graduates raised concerns that the new system which commenced this year is leaving many of them unemployed after failing the written tests. Commenting to the Daily News yesterday, education development expert, Dr Isaac Safari based at the Saint Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT) said the written tests and interviews bring highly qualified teachers at schools who can prepare responsible workforce in the country.

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He said interviews help the government to get teachers who can deliver after familiarising with their historical backgrounds and pedagogical skills beyond their submitted academic certificates.

“We need teachers who can contribute effectively to upbringing and academic development of students,” he said.

Dr Safari said teachers have a noble role of imparting lasting positive changes to students by making them thrive in the ever-changing global digital economy.

In that regard, he called on the government to ensure interviews are carried out both in public and private schools whereby only qualified teachers will be granted the job of imparting knowledge to learners.

Also, he urged the government to ensure the interviews are done in a transparent and fair atmosphere without favour.