.jpg)
The Tanzania Education Authority (TEA) is using this year's Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (Sabasaba) to highlight how investments in vocational training and entrepreneurship are equipping young Tanzanians with practical skills for employment and self-reliance.
The authority says it is mobilising and managing resources through the National Education Fund to support the Government's efforts to improve education, particularly following the introduction of the revised curriculum, which places greater emphasis on practical and skills-based learning.
Speaking at the 50th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair, TEA Public Relations and Communications Officer Eliafile Solla said the authority is committed to ensuring schools have the equipment and financial support needed to implement the new curriculum effectively.
"Through our participation in the trade fair, we want to bring our services closer to the public, raise awareness about the National Education Fund and demonstrate how TEA is supporting skills development, entrepreneurship and the implementation of the revised curriculum," he said.
According to Solla, TEA's pavilion features students, teachers and entrepreneurs who have benefited from programmes financed through the authority, giving visitors an opportunity to see the impact of practical skills training firsthand.
Among the exhibitors are secondary school students from Dar es Salaam who are demonstrating tailoring skills acquired using modern sewing equipment provided through TEA support.
The students showcased products including school uniforms, shirts, trousers, dresses and skirts, illustrating how vocational education is preparing learners for both employment and self-employment.
The pavilion also hosts beneficiaries of the Skills Development Fund (SDF), which is coordinated by TEA, who are sharing experiences of how vocational training has enabled them to establish businesses, increase production and improve their incomes.
Entrepreneur Easther Shebe said training received through the Small Industries Development Organization (SIDO) transformed her mushroom farming business by improving her production techniques and expanding her product range.
"Before receiving the training, I had limited knowledge and products. Today, I produce several mushroom varieties, including red, white oyster, yellow oyster and pink oyster mushrooms," she said, thanking TEA for managing the fund and expanding access to entrepreneurship training.
Students participating in the tailoring programme said the practical lessons are providing them with marketable skills while they are still in school.
Emiliano Shauri said he has learned to make school uniforms and other garments, noting that modern sewing machines have made practical learning easier and more efficient.
His fellow student, Maria Richard, said vocational education gives young people an opportunity to create their own jobs after graduation, helping address youth unemployment.
"The equipment has made learning much easier because we no longer have to travel to VETA centres for practical training," she said.
Tailoring teacher Rosana Magubika commended TEA for supplying sewing machines and other training equipment, while urging the authority to expand support to more schools and provide knitting machines to enable students to produce sweaters.
TEA has invited members of the public to visit its pavilion during the Sabasaba exhibition to learn more about the National Education Fund, the Skills Development Fund and opportunities to support education, vocational skills development and entrepreneurship across Tanzania.
