The Tanzania Education Authority (TEA) has called on development partners, the private sector and Tanzanians to contribute to the National Education Fund, saying increased investment is needed to expand skills-based education and equip young people with practical competencies for employment and entrepreneurship.
The appeal was made on Friday by TEA Board Member Godfrey Boniventura while speaking to journalists at the authority's pavilion during the 50th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (Sabasaba) at the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Trade Fair Grounds.
Boniventura said TEA, which was established by law to manage the National Education Fund, is mandated to mobilise and coordinate resources to improve education through the construction and rehabilitation of learning infrastructure, while supporting programmes that respond to the country's evolving education needs.
He said improving education should not be viewed as the Government's responsibility alone, but as a shared commitment requiring contributions from development partners, businesses and individual citizens.
"As the Board, together with the TEA management, we call upon development partners, the private sector and all capable Tanzanians to contribute to the National Education Fund. These resources will enable greater investment in education that equips young people with practical skills for self-reliance," he said.
Boniventura noted that Tanzania's Development Vision 2050 places strong emphasis on developing a skilled workforce capable of driving economic transformation, making investment in practical and vocational education increasingly important.
He said the country's education policy prioritises both general education and skills-based learning, with TEA directing resources towards programmes that prepare students for the labour market and self-employment.
According to Boniventura, the authority will continue working with its Board to mobilise additional funding for projects that strengthen vocational and practical education, helping produce graduates with skills that meet the needs of a changing economy.
He also commended the Government, through the Ministry of Education, for supporting TEA's mandate and called for continued efforts to encourage wider stakeholder participation in financing education.
"I believe that if we all work together to support the National Education Fund, Tanzania will build an education system that produces skilled, innovative and self-reliant young people," he said.
