Empowering Youths through Vocational Education: A Pathway to Economic Self-Reliance—And Here's Where It Gets Controversial...
In Tanzania, there is a vital call to action for the country's young population: to embrace Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a legitimate and valuable route to skilled employment, entrepreneurship, and independence. This message comes amid a strong government push to modernize the nation’s workforce and challenge long-standing myths that have undermined vocational training’s reputation.
During a high-level workshop held in Dodoma on Tuesday, which focused on rolling out new national standards and guidelines for TVET, Ms. Bernadetta Ndunguru, who serves as Chairperson of the NACTVET Governing Council, emphasized a significant shift in perspective. She pointed out that the outdated notion of TVET as a backup plan for students who didn't succeed academically is obsolete. Today, the system is at the forefront of Tanzania’s economic development efforts.
"TVET is no longer a fallback option. Instead, it is the premier pathway that arms young people with practical skills, enhances their employability, and empowers them to launch their own enterprises immediately after graduation," Ms. Ndunguru explained.
She further highlighted that this gathering comprised diverse institutions—including technical colleges, vocational training centers, folk development colleges, secondary schools with technical tracks, and officials from the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training— all working together to ensure the smooth, unified, and nationwide implementation of the refreshed TVET framework.
Adding to the momentum, she shared that President Samia Suluhu Hassan is dedicated to equipping Tanzanian youth with relevant skills that will enable them to excel in the job market and significantly contribute to national development. She underscored that NACTVET’s central role is pivotal in realizing this vision.
"Our goal is to build trust among young people and the general public," she said. "When a student opts for a TVET pathway, they must understand it as a future filled with opportunities, not a dead end. Post-graduation, they should not find themselves aimlessly wandering the streets without purpose."
Ms. Ndunguru also stressed that NACTVET will continue to enhance training environments by implementing strict standards, comprehensive guidelines, and effective regulatory systems aimed at elevating the quality of technical and vocational education across Tanzania.
"Neglecting this responsibility threatens our ability to meet national development objectives. Strong standards and well-structured training are the backbone of a modern, skilled workforce," she asserted.
She encouraged all educational institutions to carefully study and translate these new guidelines into practice, emphasizing that maintaining high quality in TVET involves discipline, meticulous planning, and a committed pursuit of excellence.
Additionally, she called on institutions to utilize these standards as tools for improving teaching methodologies, learning experiences, and management practices—ensuring graduates can contribute meaningfully to the country’s socio-economic progress.
Ms. Ndunguru invited ongoing dialogue with stakeholders, urging them to provide constructive feedback during the implementation phase. "Your insights will help us keep these standards current, practical, and aligned with the demands of the job market," she added.
In response, Dr. Mwajuma Lingwanda, the Executive Secretary of NACTVET, highlighted how the transition from the National Council for Technical Education (NACTE) to NACTVET has significantly bolstered the efficiency and scope of Tanzania’s technical and vocational education system.
She explained that rapid advancements in global technology, digital transformation, industrial innovation, and the evolving labor market require a TVET model that can adapt swiftly and respond to changing demands.
"With the expanding digital economy, greater integration of ICT in teaching, and new sectors driven by innovation, Tanzania needs a flexible, future-oriented TVET approach," Dr. Lingwanda remarked.
She also revealed that during 2024/2025, the Council undertook an extensive review and update of the national standards and guidelines for quality assurance in TVET, all of which have been approved and are now ready for full implementation.
