Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE Ministry of State in the President’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Governments) has directed all District Executive Directors (DEDs) to compile and submit lists of civil servants who are still owed salary and non-salary arrears.
Deputy Minister Zainab Katimba issued the directive in the National Assembly yesterday, setting a deadline of May 31 for compliance.
“DEDs must prepare detailed lists identifying how many employees in the education and health sectors are owed salary and non-salary arrears,” said Ms Katimba.
The directive came in response to a question from Segerea MP Bonnah Kamoli (CCM), who inquired about the government’s plan to improve working conditions for teachers, particularly in terms of housing and settling their outstanding claims.
Deputy Minister Katimba revealed that in the 2024/25 fiscal year, the government allocated 13.79bn/- for the construction of 263 teachers’ houses in primary schools across the country. She added that a total of 14.82bn/- was allocated to complete 741 partially built teacher housing units.
She further noted that in the 2025/26 budget, a total of 5.5bn/- has been earmarked for the construction of 54 duplex-style teacher houses in areas facing critical housing shortages.
“The government will continue allocating funds to complete housing projects initiated by local communities, prioritizing the most in-need areas based on available resources,” she added.
In a separate matter, Meatu MP Leah Komanya (CCM) questioned when the government would construct new classrooms at Mshikamano B, Mwabuzo, Mwambiti, Bukundi and Malugala primary schools to ease students’ congestion.
In response, Ms Katimba stated that for the 2024/25 fiscal year, the government allocated 975m/- for the construction of 43 classrooms in 28 schools in Meatu District Council, including 18 schools in Meatu constituency.
By March 2025, at least 125m/- had already been disbursed for building 21 classrooms in 12 schools. Looking ahead, she announced that the 2025/26 budget also includes another 975m/- for the construction of 50 classrooms in 23 schools in the district, including 12 in Meatu constituency.
“The government will continue to allocate funds for classroom construction in schools with the greatest needs, depending on the availability of resources,” she affirmed.
Responding to another question from MP Luhaga Mpina (Kisesa-CCM) regarding improvements to old school infrastructure in Meatu, Ms Katimba acknowledged that many schools are in a dilapidated state.
“The government recognises the need to improve infrastructure in old schools and assures the MP that the work will be carried out in his constituency so that students can learn in a better environment,” she said.
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