Abstract
<jats:p>Tanzania's expansion of secondary education, driven by initiatives such as the Secondary Education Development Programme (SEDP) and the Fee-Free Education Policy, has increased enrollment; however, it has also exacerbated teacher shortages, particularly in rural areas and for specific subjects. Teaching volunteers now fill this gap, yet their challenges and management remain a critical challenge. This study had two specific objectives: (i) to examine the challenges facing volunteer teachers in public secondary schools, and (ii) to evaluate managerial strategies used at the school level to support volunteer teachers. Eighteen secondary schools in Dodoma City hosting volunteer teachers were purposively selected for the study. From these schools, a total of 63 volunteer teachers and 18 heads of schools participated in the study. Data were collected through questionnaires administered to volunteer teachers, while heads of schools provided insights through face-to-face interviews. The study's findings reveal that volunteer teachers encounter various challenges throughout their duties. These include inadequate financial support, limited access to teaching and learning resources, a sense of inferiority compared to employed teachers, excessive teaching loads due to a high number of classes and students, and overall work overload. To address these challenges, heads of schools were found to have adopted various management strategies. These include providing induction or orientation sessions upon recruitment, offering ongoing support, supplying necessary teaching and learning materials, and assigning responsibilities that match the volunteer teachers' skills and interests. It was concluded that volunteer teachers significantly contribute to secondary education but face challenges such as inadequate support, limited resources, and excessive workloads, which undermine their effectiveness despite school leaders' efforts to support them. As such, it is recommended that policy support, fair workload distribution, improved access to resources, and ongoing professional development be in place to enhance the motivation and performance of volunteer teachers.</jats:p>