The effects of teacher deployment policy on curriculum implementation in Tanzania: a case study of selected public secondary schools in a rural district
Keywords:
teacher deployment, policy, teacher recruitment, effects, secondary schoolsAbstract
This study investigated the implementation of secondary school teachers' deployment policy, focusing on its effects on curriculum implementation using Selected Rural District experiences. The study aimed to examine the situation and effects of teacher deployment in public secondary schools in a Selected Rural District. Guided by Labour Demand and Supply Theory, the study utilised a qualitative approach and a multiple case study design. Data were collected through face-to-face semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and document reviews. Thematic analysis revealed insufficient teacher supply and adverse effects on curriculum implementation, including poor student performance, poor teacher preparations, heavy workloads, minimal classroom engagement, and reliance on lecturing. The recommendations emphasise the need for the government to establish clear policies, guidelines, and strategies for equitable teacher deployment, especially in challenging areas.
References
Abdi, A. A. (2019). Problems of teachers at school level in Garissa County of North-Eastern Kenya [Doctoral thesis]. North Eastern Hill University.
Boniface, R. (2016). Teachers’ retention in Tanzania remote secondary schools: Exploring the perceived challenges and support. [Doctoral dissertation]. Linnaeus University of Sweden.
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2021). Thematic analysis. a practical guide. Sage Publications.
Bruns, B., Macdonald, I. H., & Schneider, B. R. (2019). The politics of quality reforms and the challenges for SDGs in education. World Development Journal, 1(18), 27–38.
Bryson, A., Corsin, L., & Martelli, I. (2020). Teacher allocation and school performance in Italy. IZA Institute of Labour Economics.
Chudgar, A. (2022). Teachers for equitable and efficient education systems: a closer look at teacher allocation in developing countries. Teacher Education and the Teaching Profession.
Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2018). Research methods in education (8th ed.). Routledge.
Crawfurd, L., & Pugatch, T. (2020). Teacher labour markets in developing countries. IZA Institute of Labour Economics, Discussion Paper No. 12985.
Darling-Hammond, L., Schachner, A. C. W., Wojcikiewicz, S. K., & Flook, L. (2023). Educating teachers to enact the science of learning and development. Applied Developmental Science, 28(1), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888691.2022.2130506
Donitsa-Schmidt, S., & Zuzovsky, R. (2014). Teacher supply and demand: The school level perspective. American Journal of Educational Research, 2(6), 420–429.
Eden, C. A., Chisom, O. N., & Adeniy, I. S. (2024). Parent and community involvement in education: strengthening partnerships for social improvement. International Journal of Applied Research in Social Sciences, 6(3), 372-382. DOI:10.51594/ijarss.v6i3.894
Faraji, A. P. (2018). The influence of school administration on teachers’ transfer in rural community secondary schools in Kondoa district [Master’s dissertation]. University of Dodoma.
George, E. (2021). The motives and effects of teachers’ transfer on school curriculum implementation in public secondary schools in Kisarawe district, Coast region [Unpublished master’s dissertation]. University of Dar es Salaam.
Inoua, S., & Smith, V. (2020). The classical theory of supply and demand. Chapman University.
Kesuma, R., Utz, A., Bodrogini, P. W., & Purwana, R. (2018). Efficient deployment of teachers: A policy note. The World Bank and Australian Government.
Kregel, J. A. (1988). The theory of demand and supply of labour: The post-Keynesian view. In: J. A. Kregel, E. Matzner, & A. Roncaglia, (Eds.), Barriers to full employment. Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-19233-5_3
Kwembe, M. (2018, March 22). Uhamisho wa walimu wa shule za sekondari kwenda shule za msingi sio adhabu. Wazo Huru.
Lutfiu, B., & Lutfiu Hoxha, L. (2024). Socioeconomic status of teachers and its impact on teaching quality. European Journal of Education and Pedagogy, 5(2), 52–58. https://doi.org/10.24018/ejedu.2024.5.2.790.
Lyimo, N. S., Too, J. K., & Kipng’etich, K. J. (2017). Assessment of teaching staff adequacy in Tanzanian community secondary schools: A case of Arusha district. International Journal of Education Policy Research and Review, 4(5), 81–89.
Majumba, R. (2019). The challenges facing secondary school administrators in effective implementation of fee-free education provision in selected schools in Selected Rural District [Master’s dissertation]. University of Dodoma.
Matete, R. (2016). Challenges facing primary education under decentralisation of primary school management in Tanzania. International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 6(1), 175–184.
Ministry of Education, Science and Technology [MoEST]. (2020). Pre-primary and primary teacher deployment strategy 2019–2021. MoEST.
MoEST. (2021). Education Sector Analysis. MoEST.
MoEST. (2017). National Strategy for Inclusive Education. MoEST.
Ministry of Education and Vocational Training [MoEVT]. (2023). Basic education statistics of Tanzania: Regional data. MoEVT.
MoEVT. (2014). Education and Training Policy. MoEVT.
MoEVT. (2009a). Waraka wa Elimu namba 4 wa mwaka 2009: Kuajiri na kupanga walimu na watumishi wasiokuwa walimu katika shule za sekondari za serikali. MoEVT.
MoEVT. (2009b). Waraka wa Elimu Namba 12 wa mwaka 2009: Uhamisho wa walimu na watumishi wasio walimu katika shule za sekondari. MoEVT.
MoEC. (2005). Waraka wa Elimu Namba 3 wa mwaka 2005: Ajira na uhamisho wa walimu katika shule za sekondari za serikali. MoEC.
MoEC. (2002). Waraka wa elimu Namba 17 wa mwaka 2002: Utekelezaji wa Waraka wa Elimu Namba 4 wa mwaka 2001: Kuondoa mlundikano wa walimu katika wilaya na kati ya wilaya na wilaya. MoEC.
Moradi, M. (2019). Teacher’s attitudes towards the effects of lesson plan on classroom management: A case study of Sufi Sahab Zakur high school. American International Journal of Social Science Research, 4(2), 25–51.
Mulkeen, A. (2015). Teachers for rural schools: a challenge for Africa. UNESCO.
Mulkeen, A., Ratteree, W., & Voss-Lengnik, I. (2017). Teachers and teacher policy in primary and secondary education: Discussion paper education. GIZ.
Mulengeki, F. M. (2017). Basic education under local governments in Tanzania: a theoretical analysis. Huria Journal, 6, 208-227.
Ndalichako, J. L., & Komba, A. A. (2014). Students’ subject choice in secondary schools in Tanzania: A matter of students’ ability and interests or forced circumstances? Open Journal of Social Science, 2(6), 49–56.
Noor, F., Ishaque, M. S., Memon, A. A., & Lodhi, F. A. (2012). Effects of teachers’ transfer on the school system. Interdisciplinary Journal of Contemporary Research in Business, 4(2), 593–617.
OECD. (2018). Effective teacher policies: insights from PISA. OECD.
Onyango, D. O. (2020). Decentralisation of basic education in Tanzania. Boatech Publishing.
Ozcan, M. (2021). Factors affecting students’ academic achievement according to the teachers’ opinion. Education Reform Journal, 6(1), 1-18. http://dx.doi.org/10.22596/erj2021.06.01.1.18.
Pesambili, J. C. (2013). Consequences of female genital mutilation on girls’ schooling in Tarime, Tanzania: Voices of the uncircumcised girls on the experiences, problems and coping strategies. Journal of Education and Practice, 4(16), 109–119.
Pesambili, J. C., & Mkumbo, K. A. K. (2018). Implications of female genital mutilation on girls’ education and psychological wellbeing in Tarime, Tanzania. Journal of Youth Studies, 21(8), 1111–1126. https://doi.org/10.1080/13676261.2018.1450969.
Pesambili, J. C., & Mkumbo, K. A. K. (2024). Beyond the surface: Unpacking the methodological and ethical challenges of researching into a sensitive female genital mutilation practice. SN Social Sciences, 4(22), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43545-023-00822-4.
PO-RALG. (2021a). Nyaraka na miongozo ya elimu. PO-RALG.
PO-RALG. (2021b). Basic education statistics of Tanzania: Regional data. President’s Office-Regional Administration and Local Government of Tanzania.
PO-RALG. (2022). The speech of the minister of president’s office-regional administration and local government (PO-RALG) of revenue and expenditure estimates for the financial year 2022/2023. President’s Office-Regional Administration and Local Government of Tanzania.
Simtowe, A. (2022, February 22). Walimu shule za serikali wanapungua huku wanafunzi wakiongezeka maradufu. Mwananchi Newspaper.
Tandika, P. (2014). Stakeholders’ construction of the quality of the pre-primary education in Tanzania: Focus on policy discourse [Doctoral thesis]. University of Dodoma.
Tao, S. (2014). Using the capability approach to improve female teacher deployment to rural schools in Nigeria. International Journal of Education Development, 3(9), 92–99.
UNESCO. (2023). Education starts early: Regional report for Sub-Saharan Africa, progress, challenges and opportunities. UNESCO.
UNESCO. (2021). Teachers’ working conditions in state and non-state schools. UNESCO.
UNESCO. (2020). Global education monitoring report 2020: Inclusion and education: All means all. UNESCO.
UNESCO. (2016). Teacher allocation and utilisation in Africa. UNESCO.
United Nations (2018). The 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals: An opportunity for Latin America and the Caribbean. United Nations.
Waziri, A. (2018). Factors influencing the distribution of secondary school teachers in Tanzania: A case of Selected Rural District [Master’s dissertation]. University of Dodoma.
World Bank. (2019). Ending learning poverty: What will it take? World Bank.
Zakaria, R., & Otieno, K. O. (2022). Teachers’ deployment from secondary to primary schools and its influence on their job performance in Hanang’ district, Tanzania. Journal of Research Innovation and Implication in Education, 6(3), 80–91.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Papers in Education and Development

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
This work may be shared and adapted for non-commercial purposes, with appropriate credit given.
