THE government has expressed its readiness to engage with the Non-Employed Teachers Organisation (NETO) in a comprehensive discussion aimed at addressing the concerns of graduates who are seeking to secure employment in the public sector.

George Simbachawene, the Public Service Management and Good Governance state minister in the President’s Office, stated this position at the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in Morogoro where he visited offices of a ministerial team charged with the recruitment of teachers.

He said that the government is keen to discuss the matter in depth with the leadership of NETO, in the wake of NETO, a group representing thousands of teacher graduates, reached out via social media platforms, underlying the difficulties faced by those who completed their training from 2015 to 2023 and still await opportunities in the profession.

The group has voiced its frustration over the lack of employment opportunities, despite intensely felt demand for teachers across the country.

 “We have listened to their concerns, and we understand the challenges they face. We are committed to addressing their grievances and finding a sustainable solution,” the minister stated, citing contacts with the Education, Science and Technology minister Prof Adolf Mkenda, as well as the Regional Administration and Local Governments in the President’s Office (PO-RALG) on the issue.

They have all agreed to participate in the dialogue with NETO once the group is ready to engage in meaningful discussions, he said, stressing that the government’s primary goal is to provide a platform for constructive dialogue.

It seeks to work together with NETO towards finding viable solutions to drawbacks hindering the employment of teachers, he said, expressing commitment to creating opportunities for qualified graduates.

The teaching profession needs to remain strong and well-supported, he said, noting that teachers’ recruitment interviews, which run from January 14 to February 24, involve a series of assessments, including written aptitude tests, practical exams and oral interviews.

The assessments are designed to ensure that the most qualified candidates are selected for available teaching positions, he said, explaining that the ongoing recruitment drive is part of a larger initiative to strengthen the country’s education system.

It will help reduce the teacher shortage and provide new career opportunities for those who have trained to become educators, he said

Hilda Kabissa, the recruitment centre coordinator and ministerial legal services director, said that three types of assessments are being carried out to ensure that candidates are thoroughly evaluated before being recruited for teaching positions.

“We are ensuring that the recruitment process is comprehensive and fair, taking into account the specific requirements for each teaching position. The goal is to recruit qualified teachers who will contribute to the development of our education system,” she added.

ENDS/jz