Lecturers in Tanzanian public universities have resumed duty after a month-long strike that ended with a Sh20 billion agreement with the government. However, the Universities Academic Staff Union (Uasu) has expressed concerns that two key issues remain unresolved. Uasu Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga stated that the union wants clear legal and budgetary commitments that staff salaries and other employment obligations at universities will be funded through the National Exchequer and supported by parliamentary appropriations.
The union is opposed to indications that lecturers' salaries could be funded through student fees, arguing that this would contradict the Universities Act, 2012. According to Dr. Wasonga, this move would undermine the law that provides for university funding through allocations approved by Parliament. The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) had stated that the State Department for Higher Education confirmed that funding for the proposed 2025-2029 collective bargaining agreement (CBA) would be provided by the National Treasury through the student-centered university funding model.
The nationwide strike, which began on October 2, was called off on October 30 after lecturers agreed to return to work as negotiations continue on the second part of the CBA. Labour Principal Secretary Shadrack Mwadime stated that the government intended to conclude negotiations on the non-financial components of the CBA by February 20, after which the agreement would be registered in court. The government has been putting administrative measures in place, and discussions on the non-financial aspects of the CBA would begin before the end of the week.
However, Dr. Wasonga stated that the agreement had only eased the immediate dispute, leaving unresolved the question of sustainable funding for public universities and outstanding payments to staff. The union is concerned about Sh100 billion in unpaid remittances and wants the government to provide a clear plan for settling these pending bills. SRC Chief Executive Officer Ali Abdullahi stated that the commission was ready to facilitate the registration of the CBA once the government confirmed the availability of the funds.
Inter-Public Universities Consultative Forum Chairperson Fred Barasa stated that the capacity of public universities to implement negotiated CBAs depended substantially on government funding. University councils cannot sustainably undertake additional recurrent financial commitments without corresponding provision for their implementation. The forum is concerned that without adequate funding, public universities may struggle to implement the new CBA.
The lecturers' strike has had a significant impact on the education sector, with public universities potentially extending the current semester by one to two weeks to recover lost time. The strike, which lasted for a month, has caused concerns among stakeholders, including parents and students. The government and the union must work together to resolve the outstanding issues and prevent further disruptions to the academic calendar.
The Universities Academic Staff Union has vowed to take action if the government fails to address its concerns. The union is seeking a clear plan for sustainable funding and the settlement of pending bills. If the issues are not resolved, lecturers may return to the streets, causing further disruptions to the education sector. The government must work to find a solution to the crisis and ensure that public universities receive adequate funding.
Key points
- Lecturers in Tanzanian public universities have threatened to strike again over funding and pending bills.
- The Universities Academic Staff Union wants clear legal and budgetary commitments on funding of staff salaries and other employment obligations.
- The union is opposed to funding lecturers' salaries through student fees, citing a contradiction with the Universities Act, 2012.
