Silent struggle: Tanzanian academics turned into fundraising agents for universities-6

The root of this issue lies in the decline of funding for universities' core functions—teaching, research, and community service.

According to various studies, the Tanzanian government's shift in priorities towards basic education has resulted in reduced financial support for higher education.

As a result, public universities are increasingly compelled to explore new revenue sources and cut costs. This financial squeeze has placed academic staff under immense pressure to secure funds, impacting their primary roles and overall job satisfaction.

"We have become agents for fundraising for universities rather than just teaching students," says a professor at the University of Dar es Salaam.

"This situation forces the university to direct us in this way because there is not enough funding to run the university's essential activities. At the same time, salaries and promotions remain a challenge."

Dissatisfaction with salaries and promotion opportunities is widespread among public service workers in Tanzania, and university academic staff are no exception.

Despite their critical role in shaping the knowledge and skills of future policymakers and professionals, their welfare demands are often ignored.

The situation is exacerbated by the fact that academic staff must share any research funding they secure with their employing institutions, akin to paying a double tax—once to the government through salaries and then to the university through research levies.

"If you manage to get funding for research, you are forced to share it with the institution that employs you. It's like we are paying taxes to the government (salary) and the institution (research levy)," explains the professor.

"We in public universities seem to be putting patriotism first, while our families suffer."

A senior professor from Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) echoes this sentiment, emphasising the need for government intervention.

"The government needs to find ways to help universities sustain themselves and pay lecturers salaries commensurate with the work they do. Here in Tanzania, university leaders are the ones struggling to obtain extra funds. This is not right."

The pressure to generate revenue has discouraged many from pursuing research opportunities, as they often conduct research quietly to avoid the university's financial demands.

"Many of us do not undertake much research because of this; we are discouraged," says a senior lecturer from the University of Dodoma (Udom).

This issue is not unique to Tanzania. Until the mid-1990s, higher education in Africa was not considered a priority, with most educational policies focusing on primary education.

The assumption was that university education would benefit individuals rather than society. A former don at the State University of Zanzibar, Dr Mussa Abdi Mohammed, supports emphasising primary education due to its broader societal benefits.

However, he acknowledges the need for a balanced approach. "It is not fair for lecturers to fundraise for public universities while their living conditions are not good due to the meagre salaries they receive," he says.

In response to these challenges, the Tanzanian government has taken steps to incentivise research. In 2023, the Ministry of Education announced a Sh1 billion award for local researchers in higher learning institutions who publish in international high-impact journals.

Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Adolf Mkenda, highlighted the importance of allowing researchers to receive incentives for their work.

"We need to allow researchers to receive incentives to conduct research," he stated, criticising the practice of universities taking a cut of research funds secured by individual researchers.

Despite these efforts, the fundamental issue remains unresolved. Academic staff continue to juggle multiple roles without adequate compensation or support.

"There is no motivation for academic staff in Tanzania. Senior lecturers are unable to help young lecturers because there is no incentive to be a lecturer, except for the respect from the community for being a scholar, but without money," laments a professor.

The situation underscores a critical need for a comprehensive review of funding policies and support mechanisms for higher education in Tanzania.

Universities cannot thrive without motivated academic staff, and the sustainability of these institutions hinges on the well-being and satisfaction of their educators.

As Tanzanian universities strive to fulfil their educational mission, the voices of their academic staff must be heard and addressed, according to educational consultant Dr Thomas Jabir.

“Without a conducive working environment and fair compensation, the silent struggle of these scholars will continue, impacting the quality of education and research that is vital for the country's development,” he notes.