Universities in Tanzania have been urged to adopt competency-based curriculum delivery approaches to ensure graduates are well-prepared to meet the demands of the modern job market and align with the revised national education policies.
The call was made by Dr. Telemu Kassile, Director of Accreditation at the Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU), who represented the Commission’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Charles Kihampa, during a capacity-building workshop for lecturers, academic staff, and university administrators held at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in Morogoro.
The workshop aimed to equip university educators with effective methods for implementing the newly reviewed curricula developed under the 2023 Education and Training Policy.
Unlike previous approaches, the revised policy focuses on competencies, which integrate practical skills, knowledge, attitudes, and the ability to apply them effectively in real-world situations.
Dr. Kassile emphasized that TCU has instructed all universities to update their curricula to focus on practical, outcome-oriented training that enables graduates to secure employment or create their own opportunities.
“As the Commission, we continue to accredit both revised and new programmes that comply with the updated education policy. I commend SUA for organizing this workshop following its curriculum review. These sessions are essential in preparing lecturers to deliver education that develops full competencies, not just isolated skills,” he said.
He added that over the past four years, TCU has trained more than 800 university professionals, including those who are not lecturers, to enhance institutional capacity. He stressed that the policy reforms maintain academic quality, noting that only curricula aligned with labour market needs receive accreditation.
“University programmes must prepare students to serve in diverse sectors. Graduates are expected to possess not just knowledge, but the practical competencies required to perform effectively,” Dr. Kassile explained.
He also revealed that TCU is fostering collaboration between Tanzanian universities and international institutions to broaden learning and research opportunities.
“Universities are encouraged to partner with local and global institutions, including industrial players, to facilitate knowledge exchange and enhance graduates’ competencies,” he said.
SUA Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Prof. Maulid Mwatawala, said the university has completed a comprehensive review of its curricula to make them more practical, outcomes-focused, and competency-based. The new programmes are set to be implemented when universities reopen in November 2025.
“To ensure successful implementation, we have started training lecturers to acquire the necessary competencies to teach under this new model. The focus is shifting from what students know to what they can do, aligning education with market realities,” he explained.
Prof. Mwatawala added that SUA is moving toward a more digital and practical approach to learning. “We are introducing interactive and self-directed methods.
Traditional teaching is being replaced by semester-long practical sessions that equip students with competencies required for employment or entrepreneurship immediately after graduation,” he noted.
He said that through the Higher Education for Economic Transformation (HEET) project, SUA has improved its teaching infrastructure and recruited 150 new academic staff over the past three years to strengthen programme delivery.
RUFORUM Programme Officer for Graduate Training and Academic Transformation, Mr. Emmanuel Okalany, pointed out that high unemployment among African graduates is largely due to a lack of practical competencies.
He said the RUFORUM network, which includes 175 universities across 40 African countries, supports members in preparing students for employment challenges after graduation.
“The real issue is how young people can access job opportunities after completing their studies. Universities and academics must move beyond traditional methods and focus on developing problem-solving, entrepreneurial, and practical competencies in students,” he said.
SUA Deputy Vice Chancellor for Planning, Finance, and Administration, Prof. Amandus Muhairwa, urged university staff to focus on action.
“The time for complaints is over. Resources are available; what remains is for everyone to contribute. Academicians must lead by example, translating theory into practical learning and enabling students to see the impact of their work,” he said.