Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan says government will now focus on teachers’ employment following the successful accomplishment of the construction of classrooms across the country.

The Head of State made the revelation while speaking on phone with Benjamin William Mkapa Head Teacher, Joseph Deo.

She made the call during the celebration of her 62nd birthday organized at the school in Dar es Salaam.

President Samia stated that there are numerous issues in the education sector, including infrastructure, learning materials, and providing a conducive learning atmosphere, all of which the government is working to address.

She also pointed out that there is still a challenge in primary schools, where classrooms and furniture are in short supply.

The president expressed her gratitude to the school’s pupils and teachers for organising a birthday party in partnership with NMB Bank, adding that her government will work on the issues raised by Deo.

Deo thanked President Samia for the funds disbursed for the construction of classrooms in which, the school got two classes which are complete.

He said the school has 1,635 students from form I – IV and also accommodates students with special needs and nine teachers with special needs.

Last year, Tanzania secured a US$567.25 million loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) through the Rapid Credit Facility (RCF) as part of the Covid-19 relief package, which was used to enhance the education, health, water and tourist sectors.

The government planned to spend 302.7 billion Tanzanian shillings – of the 535.6 billion Tanzanian shillings budgeted to the President’s Office Ministry of State (Regional Administration and Local Government) on the construction of 15,000 classrooms in secondary schools and at satellite primary schools.

The government recently announced that the construction of the projected 15,000 classrooms was 95 per cent complete in all regions of Tanzania Mainland, with only a few regions falling behind due to obstacles such as raw material availability, project plot allocation and weather fluctuations.

Earlier, Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Adolf Mkenda had stated that leaders of the country have emphasized the necessity of inclusivity at all levels.

He said the country will never allow sexism, adding that the government must ensure that those who may otherwise be excluded or disadvantaged, such as those with physical or mental disabilities or members of other minority groups, have equal access to opportunities and resources.

Prof Mkenda explained that Tanzania has a female President not because of her gender, but because everyone in the country, regardless of gender, religion, or disability, has equal access to opportunities.