Dodoma. The government has pledged to recruit more teachers in the 2026/27 financial year, prioritising schools with the greatest shortages and graduates who have waited longest for formal employment.
The pledge comes amid a persistent teacher shortage, particularly in science subjects, with the national deficit exceeding 33 percent.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government), Dr Festo Dugange, told Parliament on Monday, November 2, 2026, that recruitment would continue to address the growing demand, although applicants would have to undergo interviews.
‘Taking into account the country’s demand for teachers, the government has continued recruiting teachers every year to address the shortage,’ he said.
Dr Dugange was responding to Bukoba Rural MP Jasson Rweikiza (CCM), who sought to know when the government would address shortages in primary and secondary schools.
He attributed the growing demand partly to increased enrolment following the introduction of fee-free education and construction of new schools nationwide.
He said the government had recruited 64,772 teachers between the 2021/22 and 2025/26 financial years, including 15,054 in the last financial year.
‘The recruits had been deployed to areas with the greatest demand, particularly rural schools,’ he said.
Despite the recruitment, the country continued to face a shortage of science teachers, partly because most unemployed graduates seeking teaching jobs were not specialised in science subjects.
Dr Dugange said applicants, including those who had volunteered in schools while awaiting formal employment, would still be required to sit interviews.
‘Those seeking employment as teachers must undergo interviews,’ he said, adding that successful candidates would be considered based on their waiting period after graduation and age.
The clarification means voluntary teaching experience does not guarantee employment, although the government will consider how long graduates have waited for jobs.
He said recruitment would continue annually, alongside the filling of vacancies arising from retirement and other departures from the public service.
The government also plans to engage volunteer teachers under the 2026 guidelines on volunteering in the public service.
Meanwhile, preparations are under way to meet growing demand for teachers and school facilities as more pupils are expected to join Form One in 2028.