The Pivotal Role of Teacher Motivation in Tanzanian Education

In Tanzania, the integral role that teachers play in providing a quality education for students has been recognized consistently in government documents (e.g., Ministry of Education and Culture [MOEC] 1995; 2001). However, concerns about the quality of teachers and teaching in Tanzania persist (Massawe and Kipingu 2000; Kuleana Center for Children's Rights 2001; MOEC 2003, 2004a; Rajani and Sumra 2003; Sumra 2004a; Davidson 2005). One factor that has had a significant impact on teaching quality is the lack of motivation among teachers. This paper discusses factors that contribute to this pervasive condition among Tanzanian educators and suggests policies and initiatives to raise teachers' motivation levels.