How acute teacher shortage threatens education quality

As of December 2023, Tanzania had 207,323 primary school teachers for 11,425,482 students, resulting in a Pupil-to-Teacher Ratio (PTR) of 1:57, according to the Basic Education Statistics 2023, published by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

To achieve a PTR of at least 1:45, Tanzania needs 253,900 teachers, according to an analysis by The Citizen from the new education statistics.

The statistics reveal that some schools have one teacher handling up to 600 students in a class, while others have over 1,000 students with only three teachers managing more than 400 students.

However, the government has announced 11,015 job openings in the education sector, following several promises to hire 12,000 teachers in the 2024/25 fiscal year. These promises were made at different times, with some being promised in parliament in Dodoma.

Some of the announced positions are directed towards subjects like Chemistry, Physics and Biology at the Grade IIIB and IIIC teaching levels, while those for Mathematics total over 1,325.

These job openings were announced while statistics show that only early childhood and primary classes need over 116,885 teachers to balance the teacher-student ratio.

According to the 2023 National Economic Survey published by the Ministry of Finance, enrolment done last year (2023) indicated that early childhood classes required 52,884 teachers and primary schools needed 64,001 teachers to achieve the government-mandated ratio when these teachers are combined with those already in schools.

Assuming that all 11,015 teacher jobs announced recently, would be directed towards filling the teacher shortage in primary schools, there would still be a remaining need for 35,562 teachers (17 percent) for Tanzania to achieve the desired ratio of 1:40 or 1:45.

However, these 11,015 teachers would only help reduce the ratio from one teacher for 57 students (1:57) to one teacher for 52 students (1:52).

Schools with severe teacher shortages

Magome Primary School in Kaliua District, Tabora Region, leads the top ten schools with the worst PTR in the entire country, according to the 2023 statistics. The school has one teacher handling up to 657 students in a class (PTR 1:657).

The second school with the worst PTR comes from the same region and district. Umoja Primary School has a total of 1,432 students with a PTR of 3:477.3.

Mazachii Primary School in Singida had a total of 395 pupils in 2023, with only one teacher available to teach, resulting in a PTR of 1:395. Taragwe Primary in Tabora Region, Kaliua District Council, had 726 students with a PTR of 2:363.

Iyogelo Primary School in Tabora Region, Kaliua District, had 1,415 students in total with a PTR of 4:353. Ngilimal Primary School in Singida Region, Itigi District Council, had 335 students with a PTR of 1:335. Lwamkoi Primary School in Geita Region, Bukombe District, had a total of 300 students with a PTR of 1:300.

Umoja II Primary School in Mbeya Region had 275 students in 2023 with only one teacher, a PTR of 1:275. Tembo Primary School in Simiyu Region had 292 students, with a PTR of 1:292 and Matsahh Primary School in Manyara Region, Hanang District, had 260 students with a PTR of 1:260.

Regional analysis

Mwanza Region leads in having an average of 59 students taught by one teacher, the same as Songwe Region. Additionally, data shows that Kagera Region has an average of 58 students per teacher.

The PTR in Morogoro Region is 1:56, Tanga 1:56, Ruvuma 1:55, Manyara 1:55, Lindi 1:49, Iringa 1:47, Coast 1:45, Njombe 1:40, Kilimanjaro 1:35 and Dar es Salaam 1:35. This is the regional average according to the analysis of these statistics.

Thus, for the year 2023, only five regions (Coast, Njombe, Arusha, Kilimanjaro and Dar es Salaam) have the recommended average PTR of 1:45.

On May 9, 2024, while in Parliament, the Deputy Minister of the President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government Authorities (PO-RALG), Ms Zainabu Katimba, announced that 12,000 teachers will be employed in the 2024/25 fiscal year and will be assigned to areas with severe teacher shortages.

These recruitments are part of ongoing efforts to reduce the existing shortage of teachers. She elaborated that between the 2020/21 and 2022/23 fiscal years, the government employed 29,879 teachers, including 16,598 for primary schools and 13,281 for secondary schools.

An education expert from the University of Dar es Salaam, Mr John Mwombeki, said, “The government’s effort to recruit more teachers is commendable, but the rate of recruitment must increase to match the growing student population. Without significant improvement in PTR, the quality of education remains at risk.”

Moreover, education consultant Sarah Kiwanga insisted on the need for more specialised training for teachers.

“With the new educational transformations underway, it is not just about the numbers but also about the quality of teachers. We need teachers who are well-versed in modern teaching methods and can handle large classes effectively.”

To address these issues, the government needs to not only increase the number of teacher recruits but also enhance the quality of teacher training programmes.

Increasing investment in teacher training colleges and providing continuous professional development for in-service teachers could help bridge the gap.

Additionally, leveraging technology in classrooms could provide some relief to overburdened teachers. “Integrating digital tools in teaching can help manage large classrooms and provide personalised learning experiences to students,” Mr Mwombeki suggested.

While the government’s efforts are steps in the right direction, achieving the desired PTR will require sustained and increased investment in the education sector.

The future of Tanzania’s education system depends on our ability to ensure that every child has access to a quality education, supported by well-trained and adequately supported teachers.