Problems Confronting the Teaching Profession in Tanzania and Implications towards Educational Excellence in the Digital Age

Abstract

This study examined the problems encountered by the teaching profession in Tanzania and their impact on achieving educational excellence in the digital age. It was a qualitative phenomenological study involving 33 participants, including key educational administrators, heads of schools, and teachers. Interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) formed the main data collection methods, whereas, data collected were subjected to thematic analysis. The findings revealed several problems, including technology integration in teaching due to a lack of ICT resources, teachers' lack of digital competence, nonchalant attitudes towards technology and a reluctance to change, deplorable working and living conditions, limited opportunities for professional development and professional misconduct. These problems affect the quality of teaching and the country's education system. The study recommends the improvement of training programmes by equipping teachers with technological competencies needed in the contemporary digital age.

Keywords

• teaching profession
• educational excellence
• digital age