Govt to construct vocational training centres in 4 regions

Education and Vocational Training Minister, Dr Shukuru Kawambwa

The government has announced plans to construct vocational training institutions in four regions that currently do not have the service, these are Geita, Simiyu, Njombe and Rukwa in the next five years.

Speaking at the official launch of the Technical Vocational and Training for Teacher Education (TVET TE) Project yesterday in Dar es Salaam, Education and Vocational Training Minister Dr Shukuru Kawambwa said the five year project (2014-2018) will also cover renovation of already existing colleges.

Vocational colleges to be renovated are those in Arusha, Meru, Mpwapwa and Butimba and several other regions as well.

In support of the project, the African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a USD52 million (equivalent 85.9bn/-) soft loan to enhance capacity building for secondary teacher education in science and mathematics 

The money will support human resource development as the basis to inclusive economic growth spearheaded by an informed and educated public.

“The project is expected to deliver expanded infrastructure to 13 institutions with about 8,000 trainees as well as expanded use of ICT at 53 institutions across the country,” AfDB Resident representative Tonia Kandiero explained at the launch.

She said the project is in line with the bank’s own priorities as stated in its ten year 2013 to 2022 strategy and their recently approved human capital strategy 2014 to 2018 as well as the government’s own National Development Vision 2025 and the National Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty II.

AfDB Division Manager, Boukary Savadogo asked the Education and Vocational Training ministry to ensure the project strives to adhere to the rules and procedures applicable to the project - especially in procurement of goods and services and related reporting and auditing.

Vocational and Training Education Director Eng Zebadiah Moshi said the project will enable among other things, vocational training centres provide gas and petroleum related courses.

The TVET TE project requires at least USD 57 million (roughly 94.2bn/-) of which the bank has now covered at least 90 per cent (USD52m/-) and the remaining 10 per cent USD5 million (8.2bn/-) will is to be met by the government.

AfDB also supported the government in developing a strategic plan for the Vocational and Technical Education Project 2004-2012 and support to secondary education development plan (2008-2011).