THE DISCRETION OF STREET LEVEL BUREAUCRATS AND UNETHICAL CONDUCT IN THE PROVISION OF EDUCATION SERVICES IN MAINLAND TANZANIA

Abstract

Citizens do expect quality public services from qualified service providers. In Tanzania, service providers including primary and secondary school teachers are required by the laws to provide services ethically adhering to laws guiding service provision. In primary and secondary schools, teachers are obliged to refrain from all unethical conducts such as to mete out unlawful corporal punishments, sexual abuse, unlawful suspension and striking. This paper examines and discusses conduct of teachers as street level bureaucrats. The researcher analysed secondary data from journal articles as well as unpublished master and PhD thesis and dissertations, government reports, and internet sources including online Newspapers and TVs, government and nongovernment webpages and other webpages. Results reveal some unethical conducts carried out by both primary and secondary school teachers. From 2018 to 2021 data reveal six death cases of students due to unlawful corporal punishments (beaten to death); 41 suspension cases of students and impregnation of three school girls by teachers. Data revealed that the pregnancy cases in secondary and primary schools and in Tanzania is high. In 2018 there were 6,237 secondary school pregnant cases, compared to 5,398 cases in 2019. In primary schools, data show 1,185 cases in 2018 and 1,135 cases in 2019. Reflecting the data, this paper recommends a close monitoring of teachers behaviour through regular 30 minutes morning sessions as a way to review and remind the rules and regulations guiding public servants. This is because studies show that teachers as well as students are not aware of the rules and guidelines.