The Government is reviewing the university admissions process to widen access to higher education while ensuring institutions do not compromise academic standards or admit more students than they can adequately accommodate.
Education, Science and Technology Minister Prof Adolf Mkenda said the Government was working with universities to address challenges surrounding student admissions and registration as demand for higher education continues to rise.
Prof Mkenda spoke on September 5, 2026, in Dodoma after meeting vice chancellors and chairpersons of university councils to discuss the admissions process and other issues affecting higher education.
He urged students seeking university places to continue submitting their applications, saying the Government would provide further guidance on the admissions process in due course.
“We want more Tanzanians to have access to higher education, but this must not come at the expense of quality,” Prof Mkenda said.
He said the Government had introduced measures to safeguard the interests of both students and universities, including ensuring that institutions only admit students within their capacity to provide quality education.
The minister said expanding enrolment must be matched by investment in infrastructure, teaching staff and other facilities needed to support students.
The Government has also been expanding university capacity through the construction of campuses in different regions, a move expected to create more opportunities for students who might otherwise struggle to secure places in higher learning institutions.
Prof Mkenda said increasing the number of students entering universities was important in raising Tanzania’s higher education enrolment rate and developing the skilled workforce needed to support the country’s economic transformation.
The Government will also meet leaders of colleges operating under the National Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (NACTVET) to discuss education quality, registration and admission management.
Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU) Executive Secretary Prof Charles Kihampa said maintaining quality in higher education was a continuous responsibility requiring close cooperation between universities, the Government and the commission.
He said stronger coordination would help institutions respond to challenges arising from the growing number of students seeking admission.
Moshi Co-operative University (MoCU) Vice Chancellor Prof Alfred Sife said the meeting had explored ways of improving admissions to ensure students were enrolled based on appropriate qualifications and their academic potential.
TEKU Council Chairman Dr Aggrey Mlimuka said universities must maintain high education standards to produce competent and highly skilled graduates capable of contributing effectively to the economy.
The discussions come as Tanzania seeks to expand access to higher education while ensuring rapid growth in enrolment is supported by adequate facilities, qualified teaching staff and effective admission systems.