DODOMA: THE government is committed to addressing teachers’ challenges, including clearing salary arrears and facilitating promotions, the Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa has said.
Speaking at the 19th Conference of the Tanzania Association of Heads of Secondary Schools (TAHOSSA) at the Jakaya Kikwete International Convention Centre in Dodoma yesterday, he said President Samia Suluhu Hassan values and respects the critical role teachers play in advancing the country’s education sector.
“Currently, the issue of teachers’ entitlements is being prioritised and the government continues to make significant efforts to promote teachers who missed the opportunity and those who qualify for promotion and ensure it clears salary arrears,” he said.
He further noted that between 2021/2022 and 2023/2024, the government promoted 227,383 teachers and updated structure for 20,436 teachers.
“The President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government must ensure that every teacher who gets promoted receives their entitlements promptly,” he added.
The Prime Minister said that during the 2021/22 to 2023/24, the government allocated a total of 1.76tri/- to improve school infrastructure, including renovations and the construction of new facilities.
“These infrastructures have significantly improved teaching and learning environments, reduced classroom overcrowding and eased the burden on students walking long distances to school,” he said.
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On the implementation of the Free Education Policy, Majaliwa said that the government has continued to allocate 33.3bn/- per month for all public primary and secondary schools to support operational costs and administrative allowances.
“When we began this initiative in 2015/16, only 13.46bn/- was being allocated per month. This increase represents a 147.26 per cent increase.
This system has been a catalyst for enhancing student enrolment and attendance at various levels,” he explained. He further said that by recognising the importance of ICT, the government has taken steps to establish essential operational systems alongside enabling policies, laws and institutional frameworks.
On his part, Deputy Minister in the President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government Dr Festo Dugange, said his office is committed to overseeing the implementation of policies and guidelines for the welfare of the education sector.
Meanwhile, the National Chairman of TAHOSSA, Dennis Otieno, commended the government for its efforts in advancing the education sector by implementing various plans, including salary increases, promotions and infrastructure development.
“We will continue to support the government by fulfilling our responsibilities diligently,” he said.
