Non-graduate teacher recruitment and retention: Some factors affecting teacher effectiveness in Tanzania

Since students generally perform better if taught by well qualified, trained and motivated teachers, recruiting better qualified young people is a prerequisite to improving the quality of educational provision. Ongoing economic reforms in Tanzania have left teaching as one of the few salaried careers open to secondary and tertiary leavers. This study considered the rationale of non-graduate students for choosing teaching as a career, perceptions of the job and future aspirations. Findings, which will inform the Sector Development Programme, indicate that although many initially regarded teaching as a 'last resort', low-status, low-paid job, the majority intended to become classroom teachers. Questions remain, however, as to their motivation, commitment and overall effectiveness. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.