TANZANIA- Government may increase the retirement age for lecturers, especially Professors, as a way of curbing shortage of the educators at public higher institutions in the country.

The above declaration was made by Tanzania’s Prime Minister, Mizengo Pinda,  yesterday at the National Assembly while responding to a question by Kilwa North MP Murtaza Mangungu (CCM) during the question to PM session.

The Premier said he will engage the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training as well as the President's Office (Public Service Management) on the possibility of reviewing the retirement age.

Mr Mangungu had suggested that it was high time the government considered increasing the retirement age to curb shortage of lecturers at the public institutions of higher learning in the country.

"Despite strides made by the government in improving the higher education over the past few years, there is currently a shortage of lecturers. Most of the professors are above the mandatory retirement age of 60 years.

"Couldn't the government consider increasing the retirement age to enable those above 60 years to continue teaching in order to check shortage of lecturers?" the Kilwa North MP asked.

In response, The PM said the suggestion by Mr Mangungu was ideal, noting, however, that the process would require restructuring the public service system since the retirement age was a policy issue.

He explained further that under the current system, lecturers at public varsities can work under contractual term of five years after they attain the retirement age of 60 years. According to the PM, only Court of Appeal Judges can work beyond 65 years under the current public service system.