The Tanzanian Teachers Union in Kagera region is contemplating legal action against Bukoba District Commissioner Albert Mnali who last Wednesday ordered a police officer to cane primary school teachers in the area.
Mr Mnali allegedly ordered a police officer who was accompanying him during his official tour in the District on Wednesday 11, to dispense four strokes of the cane each to 16 teachers for failure to execute their duties.
According to impeccable sources, Mr Mnali accused the teachers for reporting late at their workplaces and absenteeism as indicated in the teachers’ attendance registers in three primary schools.
The teachers are from Kansenene, Kanazi and Katerero primary schools which the DC toured between 9 -10am.
Those who were caned included female teachers.
The teachers’ body regional chairperson, Mr Dauda Bilikesi, told journalists in Bukoba yesterday that CWT believed such shameful action had been committed by Mr Mnali in his personal capacity and not as a Government official.
Mr Bilikesi said CWT believed Mr Mnali lacks fundamental ethics to be expected of any Government official at his rank.
"We are thinking legal actions against such inhuman and uncivilized action which has categorically left teachers both physically and psychologically traumatised," said Mr Bilikesi.
Mr Bilikesi said any misbehaving teacher was supposed to be dealt with in accordance with existing regulations governing public service code of conduct and not in a manner done by the DC.
When contacted on the issue over telephone, Mr Mnali admitted to have ordered the punishment as his last resort against “misbehaving” teachers because they had often kept deaf ears to his instructions.
"How do you do when you talk to people who are not heeding your directives? Let them complain anywhere," he said.
Meanwhile, the CWT President, Gratian Mkoba, has lalso called for disciplinary action againt Mr Mnali.
Addressing a press conference in Tanga yesterday, Mukoba said he had received a fax message from the CWT Bukoba District Secretary informing him of the incident.
According to Mkoba, the teachers were penalised for their persistence to demand their rights from the Government, especially outstanding payments.
