Mwanga District secondary teachers condemn shift to primary schools

Mwanga. Secondary school teachers directed to shift to primary schools in the district have strongly condemned the government’s decision to shift them to primary schools.

They told The Citizen during the weekend that the government’s decision was an act of violence and humiliation to teachers that should be condemned throughout the country.

The district Tanzania Teachers Union (TTU) chairman, Mr Karim Ngomuo said teachers were against the decision, saying most of them have been affected psychologically.

"Teachers are unhappy with the decision though their salaries remain unchanged. They consider it an act of violence and humiliation to teachers,” he said.

Deputy head of quality control in the district schools, Ms Marry Yonafika said the government had made the right decision to transfer secondary school teachers to primary schools that are facing serious shortage of teachers.

“The transfer shouldn’t be considered as a punishment. It is part of division of labour to reduce consequences to primary schools that has plunged into serious teacher’s shortage,” she said, adding.

"In the district, a school may have a single teacher who is supposed to teach 200 pupils. Teachers should be patient and work hard in order to develop the country’s quality education.”

For his part, Mwanga Constituency Member of Parliament (MP), Prof Jumanne Maghembe asked teachers to cooperate, promising that there was a promising future ahead.

“Let us support President John Magufuli’s development agenda by working hard in unity and cooperation,” he said.