Vocational education and training has dominated discussions in Parliament during the budget debate for the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology for the 2026/2027 financial year, reflecting its growing importance in Tanzania’s development agenda.
The debate, which concluded on May 8, 2026 in Dodoma, saw Members of Parliament focusing heavily on skills development, particularly through the Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA), as the government continues to expand access to practical and job-oriented education.
Deputy Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Wanu Hafidh Ameir, told the House that vocational education attracted the highest level of attention from lawmakers during the session, showing how central the sector has become in national discussions.
She said out of 27 questions raised by MPs during the budget debate, 17 were directed specifically to VETA, representing about 62.96 percent of all questions.
“This clearly shows the strong interest Parliament has in strengthening vocational education and preparing young people with practical skills,” she noted.
The Deputy Minister further informed MPs that the government is making major investments in the expansion of vocational training infrastructure across the country. She said the construction of 65 new VETA colleges under the first phase of the expansion programme is ongoing and expected to be completed by September 2026.
She added that funding for the completion of the projects has already been secured, ensuring smooth implementation without delays.
“These new colleges will significantly increase access to vocational training opportunities, especially for young people in rural and underserved areas,” she said.
On human resources, Wanu Hafidh Ameir said the government has also secured approval to recruit 770 new instructors for vocational training institutions in the current financial year. She said the move will help address staffing gaps and improve the quality of training delivered to students.
In addition, the government has allocated Shilingi 150.3 billion through the Education and Skills for Productive Jobs (ESPJ II) project for the purchase of modern training equipment for VETA institutions. The investment is aimed at ensuring students learn using up-to-date tools that match industry standards.
She also highlighted progress in strengthening collaboration between training institutions and the private sector. According to her, VETA has already signed agreements with about 87 industries across various sectors to support practical training for students.
“These partnerships are very important because they allow students to gain hands-on experience in real working environments before they graduate,” she explained.
Lawmakers participating in the debate welcomed the government’s efforts and stressed the importance of vocational education in tackling youth unemployment and supporting industrial development.
They urged continued investment in modern training facilities, recruitment of qualified instructors, and closer cooperation with industries to ensure graduates are equipped with relevant skills for the job market.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology reiterated that vocational education remains a key pillar in building a skilled and self-reliant workforce capable of driving Tanzania’s economic transformation.
