MPs decry desk shortage in primary schools
What you need to know:
- In primary schools, a single pit latrine is shared by 43 pupils, against the guideline of 25 per facility.
Dodoma. A shortage of desks in primary schools has triggered a heated debate in Parliament, with lawmakers describing the situation as a national embarrassment that should have been resolved long ago.
MPs raised the issue during the debate on budget estimates for the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG) for the 2025/26 financial year, urging the government to formulate a special strategy to address the crisis.
The debate began on April 17, 2025, the first day of discussions on the minister’s budget speech.
Ms Nusrat Hanje, Special Seats MP, Chadema, described it as shameful that students were still sitting on the floor more than 64 years after independence.
“Despite achievements in various sectors, it is a great shame that we are still discussing the shortage of toilets and desks after over six decades of independence. This tarnishes our national image,” said Ms Hanje.
She compared the students’ learning environment with Parliament, where the building is surrounded by fully equipped toilets, underscoring the importance of such amenities.
Mr Hamis Tabasamu, Sengerema MP, CCM, reignited the debate, questioning why PO-RALG had failed to end the desk shortage.
He noted that despite Tanzania’s vast forest resources, many pupils still learned while sitting on the floor.
“Councils must be adequately funded to provide desks. This is a national shame. After more than 60 years of independence, are we unable to provide desks for our children?” asked Mr Tabasamu.
He urged PO-RALG to instruct all councils to allocate funds for desks in their budgets, citing his constituency, where each desk costs Sh60,000.
Manyoni East MP, Dr Pius Chaya (CCM) echoed the concern, warning that without a deliberate strategy, the crisis would persist.
Dr Chaya, a former local government advisor, said he saw no clear plan in place, particularly when many new school buildings were being constructed.
He recommended a comprehensive strategy involving key stakeholders to solve the problem.
Ms Ester Matiko, Special Seats MP, Chadema, also called on the government to include funding for desks in all new school building projects.
Deputy Minister Zainabu Katimba said the government had employed 45,742 teachers across pre-primary to secondary schools over the past four years.
She added that contract employment and trainee teacher recruitment were also being used to address staff shortages.
Ms Katimba acknowledged that, while the government had constructed numerous school buildings, the rising number of pupils, fuelled by the free education policy, had outpaced infrastructure development.
Deputy Minister Festo Dugange outlined achievements in recent years, particularly in the construction of health centres and dispensaries, and boosting health sector staffing.
Minister Mohamed Mchengerwa dismissed claims by Arusha Urban MP Mrisho Gambo as politically driven, denying any misuse of public funds.
He pledged to issue a comprehensive statement as scheduled by the Speaker.
He cautioned MPs against using the parliamentary platform for political theatrics or emotionally charged allegations.
Mr Gambo had accused PO-RALG of misusing funds during the construction of an administrative building and market in Arusha, calling for a full investigation.
“Honourable Speaker, I conclude by affirming that no Tanzanian funds have been lost in that project. Let us avoid political drama—argue with facts, not emotion,” said Mr Mchengerwa.
The Minister also admitted a serious shortage of toilet facilities in both primary and secondary schools, noting a national deficit of 51,262 toilet pits.
He explained that in secondary schools, one pit latrine is used by 35 male students instead of the recommended 25, and 35 girls instead of the advised 20.
In primary schools, a single pit latrine is shared by 43 pupils, against the guideline of 25 per facility.
To address this, the government has allocated Sh26.57 billion in the 2025/26 budget to build 25,880 toilets.
Mr Mchengerwa further reported that laboratory equipment had been procured for all 426 science schools, with distribution underway, including to 26 newly built girls’ science schools.
On debt repayment, the Minister confirmed that the government had settled verified debts amounting to Sh116.08 billion in 2023/24 and Sh78.75 billion in 2024/25.
He directed 36 financially capable councils to continue clearing arrears, while those unable to pay would undergo further debt verification. He warned against the accumulation of unnecessary debt.
