Dodoma — TEACHERS in the country are entitled to further their studies and denying them that right means that public service regulation of 2003 is being violated.

The Deputy Minister for Educational Vocational Training, Mr Philipo Mulugo, directed all council directors to ensure that teachers are allowed to further their studies so as to improve competency. Mr Mulugo was responding to Moses Machali (Kasulu Urban-NCCR) who demanded to know why some council directors are reluctant in allowing teachers to go for further studies.

Mr Machali claimed that a number of teachers especially those in Kasulu district are hardly ever allowed to continue with studies despite being clearly stated in the public service regulation.

"In my district, teachers are hardly given a chance to further their studies despite the fact that a number of them have served for over two years and if permitted they end up paying for themselves," he explained, demanding government position over the matter. Responding, Mr Mulugo said that teachers are sometimes to blame as they opt to continue with studies without communicating with their employers first.

He therefore called upon all teachers to ensure that they seek permission early enough from their employers so as to avoid misunderstandings. Commenting on the allegation that some teachers were paying for their studies, Mr Mulugo said that there is a budget set by councils to foot academic fees for civil servants but it is inadequate.