The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Culture and Sports has urged the government to ensure timely release of funds for education projects and activities, saying delays continue to slow down the implementation of key development plans in the sector.
The recommendations were presented in Parliament in Dodoma on May 7, 2026, during the debate on the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology budget for the 2026/2027 financial year. The views were delivered by Committee Member Asha Juma Ferouz on behalf of the committee.
The committee said timely financing is critical for improving the education system, particularly in ensuring that schools, colleges, and training institutions are properly supported to deliver quality services to learners across the country.
Among the key proposals, the committee urged the government to ensure that funds for education programmes and projects are disbursed on time to avoid delays that affect construction, procurement, and implementation of education plans.
It also recommended an increase in funding for the construction and completion of 64 Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) colleges at district level, as well as the establishment and development of one regional VETA college in Songwe Region.
According to the committee, strengthening vocational training is essential in equipping young people with practical skills for employment and self-reliance.
On higher education financing, the committee stressed the need for full and timely disbursement of funds to the Higher Education Students’ Loans Board to enable more students to access loans without delays, especially those from low-income families who depend on government support to pursue their studies.
The lawmakers further recommended the establishment or strengthening of teaching hospitals linked to universities offering health-related programmes.
They said this would improve practical training for medical students and enhance the quality of health professionals graduating into the system.
The committee also raised concern over the availability of learning materials, calling for improved printing, distribution, and supply of textbooks in schools to achieve a ratio of one book per student.
They said this would help improve classroom learning and reduce overcrowding in shared learning materials.
Another key recommendation was on quality assurance funding, where the committee suggested that the management of quality assurance grants be transferred from local government authorities (TAMISEMI) to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.
The aim, they said, is to improve efficiency, coordination, and accountability in the use of the funds.
In addition, the committee called for an increase in the budget for in-service training of teachers, with special emphasis on training teachers in sign language and inclusive education to better support learners with special needs.
The committee concluded that if these recommendations are implemented effectively, they will significantly improve the quality of education, strengthen accountability in public spending, and build a stronger human resource base for the country’s economic growth and development.
