Mtawata Primary School headmaster Amani Andrew teaches Standard Two pupils under cashew nut trees at Chipuputa Village in Nanyumbu District, Mtwara Region. The school has just two classrooms, forcing most pupils to study in the open.
By Vicent Mnyanyika
Teachers at various secondary and primary schools in Dar es Salaam are yet to turn their strike threats into action.
Spot-checks by The Citizen established yesterday that the teachers were going about their normal activities without any go-slow signs.
The Tanzania Teachers Union (TTU) president, Mr Gratian Mukoba, had set yesterday as the day when his colleagues would start their strike to force the Government into paying their salary arrears and other dues.
Mr Mukoba could not be swayed from his decision despite an agreement late last week between the TTU and the Education and Vocational Training Ministry.
A survey conducted by this paper in Dar es Salaam yesterday established that teachers in primary and secondary schools were continuing with their work.
Speaking to The Citizen on condition of anonymity, teachers at Zanaki, Jangwani, Uhuru and Azania secondary schools said they had decided to abandon the strike in anticipation of getting their payments this week as the Government promised.
"But we will strike if the Government fails to fulfil its promise," said one teacher at Zanaki secondary school. Other teachers declined to comment on the grounds that the district education officer was their spokesperson on all issues concerning them.
Students said their teachers had attended classes and there was no sign of a strike although some lessons were not taught. Miraji Rashid, a form three student at Zanaki, said the teachers attended as usual with no signs of strike.
"Teachers came in as usual today, there was no sign of a strike at our school, may be other schools and not this one, as you can see students are in classes with their teachers," said Rashid.
Rajabu Musa, a form one student at Zanaki, said he had not witnessed anything like a strike although not all lessons in their time table were taught.
Other students from Jangwani secondary school who identified themselves as Neema, Josephine and Joyce, said their teachers came in as usual.
On Saturday, the Government issued a statement promising to start paying out Sh9.6 billion to teachers on Friday.
The teachers were urged to continue with their work as the Ministry of Finance and Economic affairs prepared to disburse their payments to local authorities by November 13.
The Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training Mr Selestine Gesimba said the Government had verified Sh9.6 billion payments for college and secondary school teachers.
Mr Gesimba said the money would be paid out to local authorities and teachers would get paid soon after the money reached their authorities.
The move to call off the strike was strongly opposed by the TTU president Mr Gratian Mukoba, who was apparently sidestepped when the deal was being sealed.
Speaking to a morning Television show yesterday, Mr Mukoba said he did not know what took place at the meeting with the Government. "As the TTU president, I insist the strike is still on,"said Mr Mukoba.
