In recent times, the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania through the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) and the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG) has engaged in seeking ways to ensure that schools at all levels have sufficient teachers, improve and strengthen the quality of teaching and learning. The implementation of these development initiatives has been carried out through various strategic plans aimed at improving and strengthening education in the country. Some of these strategic plans include: MMEM (2001), MEMKWA (2003), MMES (2004) and Education Without Malipo (2016). These strategies have managed to increase the enrollment of students in schools, which in turn has led to a significant increase in the demand for teachers in the country.
The Government, through ministries responsible for education, continues to improve the quality of education by ensuring that the number of teachers in schools meets the teacher–student ratio of 1:25 in Early Childhood Education and 1:45 in primary schools, increasing the number of teachers in subjects taught in secondary schools and citizens’ development colleges. In addition, the Government aims to implement education sector reforms that provide quality education for all citizens in line with achieving the National Development Vision 2025.
Along with various government efforts, there is also a need to employ competent teachers who have not yet been employed in order to improve their knowledge and expertise while awaiting employment in government or private institutions. This will help these teachers to continue teaching various subjects and assist in improving teaching and learning in schools. Although these teachers have been making some contribution in improving the development of knowledgeable students, School Management is still facing the challenge of meeting costs for teacher incentives.