Minister of State in the President’s Office for Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), Prof. Riziki Shemdoe, has warned education officials against mistreating teachers, saying firm action will be taken to improve service delivery at local government level.
Speaking in Bahi district on Friday during an event to recognise top-performing students and teachers in national examinations, Shemdoe said the government will not tolerate negligence or unfair treatment of teachers, particularly in rural areas where access to services remains a challenge.
His remarks highlight ongoing concerns over bureaucratic inefficiencies within district education offices, where teachers frequently report delays in accessing essential services such as transfers, promotions and other administrative support.
Shemdoe said any official found responsible for failing to resolve teachers’ complaints or for subjecting them to unnecessary hardship would be removed from their position, signalling a tougher enforcement approach within PO-RALG.
“I will not hesitate to take action against any official who mistreats a teacher or fails to serve them as required,” he said, underscoring the government’s intention to strengthen accountability across local authorities.
The minister cited a recent case in which a teacher travelled more than 200 kilometres to follow up on a service that should have been provided within minutes, only to be told to return the next day. He said such incidents reflect systemic weaknesses that increase costs and disrupt teachers’ work.
The warning comes as the government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan continues to prioritise improvements in education, linking teacher welfare directly to student performance and broader human capital development.
Education stakeholders in Tanzania have long pointed to administrative bottlenecks at district level as a key factor affecting teacher morale, particularly in remote areas like Bahi, where infrastructure and staffing constraints persist.
By tightening oversight of local officials, Shemdoe’s directive is expected to put pressure on district education departments to respond more efficiently to teachers’ needs and reduce delays in service delivery.
The event, held at Chiona Primary School grounds, brought together local leaders, education officers, teachers and students to celebrate academic achievements in Standard Four, Standard Seven, Form Two and Form Four national examinations.
While recognising improvements in performance, authorities acknowledge that disparities remain between districts, with rural areas facing greater challenges in both resources and administration.
Shemdoe said the government’s focus is to ensure teachers work in a supportive environment, noting that their role is central to improving learning outcomes. He added that addressing their concerns promptly would contribute to better results in schools.
The minister’s remarks reinforce the government’s broader push to improve efficiency within local government systems, as part of efforts to deliver quality public services and strengthen the education sector.
