Tanzania is currently faced with a big shortage of secondary school teachers. As a result, it is planning correspondence courses as a remedy. Do you think this is a better solution to the problem?

NO.It is not a better solution I believe. Part of secondary school teachers cross to private secondary schools to seek for better pay and life. As a remedy to the problem, the government should ensure that teachers are better paid and are provided with other benefits such as housing and medical allowance. If this is not effected, private schools will continue attracting teachers.
Wlfred Msele – DEO

NO.Distant learning is not a solution. The government should first of all commission a team of qualified researchers who would do a study and find out what makes the shortage occur. By using research findings, a solution can be reached. Most government decisions are made without research which at the end brings no solution.
Butto James – Electrician.

YES.The introduction of correspondence courses will greatly help to increase teachers’ numbers. This is because the country does not have enough universities to train more teachers. Many teachers want to undergo training but there is no chance. If through distant learning more teachers are trained, there is no way other than going to teach in government schools.
Elizabeth Willo – Extension Officer.

NO.Distant learning is not a solution. Most teachers work in remote areas where communication is poor. This will just add a burden to them rather than developing them. Teachers are not very well paid and just imagine if they slash their pay to pay for the fees would further push them into problems. The only way is to have better pay for teachers which would solve all the problems.
Manaidi Abubakar – Housewife.

Compiled by Timothy Kitundu.