Morogoro — LIVESTOCK Training Agency (LITA) in Morogoro Region is facing a critical shortage of laboratory technicians, a thing which makes lecturers teach practical lessons.

Speaking to the 'Daily News', the Acting LITA Director, Dr Shaaban Hoza, said the problem started to hit the Livestock Institute (before it was upgraded to an Agency) in 2003, where laboratory technicians who went for higher education training never came back.

"Most of the laboratory technicians disappeared when they went for further studies. After upgrading their education they opted to join hospitals and Municipal and District councils, while others joined research centres," he said.

Dr Hoza added that the ministry has been advertising the vacancies but no one applies. He said in curbing the situation, LITA is giving temporary contracts to retired laboratory technician as the only workable solution, instead of overloading lecturers.

LITA has an enrolment of 288 students who are taking certificate and diploma courses in Animal Production, Animal Health, Range Management and Tsetse Control and consultations in animal production.