Psychologist’s Feelings/Perspective of Teacher Violence in Tanzanian Secondary Schools: Angry and Not Surprised By the “Mbeya Incident”

Abstract

This article is a reflection on a violent incident that occurred in one secondary school in Mbeya. There was a clip circulated showing student-teachers physically beating and manhandling a secondary school student. The article uses the episode to highlight conditions that leads to teacher violence in Tanzania. A critical analysis method is used in making reflections based on some psychological aspects and author’s experiences as a teacher. Issues that raise concerns in the clip and other news reports include politicization of teaching processes; criminalization of teachers’ misconduct and students’ misbehaviour and disorders; and lack of accountability.  In teacher education programmes the author identifies the following deficiencies that undermine student-teachers’ performance during teaching practice exercise: focusing on teaching about teaching rather than training; ignoring counselling practicum; lack of mentorship; and lack of support for teachers’ needs. At the end there are suggestions on how to remedy teacher educations programmes in Tanzania.