By Our Reporter
Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba has directed the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to prepare a plan to strengthen cooperation between the government and religious institutions in providing education.
Dr Nchemba said the plan should draw lessons from the existing partnership between the government and religious institutions in the health sector.
He directed Education Minister Adolf Mkenda to work with the Health Ministry to identify ways of improving cooperation and prepare proposals for submission to President Samia Suluhu Hassan for approval.
“Minister, you should sit down with your colleagues. Sit with the Minister of Health,” he said.
The Prime Minister issued the directive on Sunday, November 1, 2026, while representing President Samia at the inauguration of the new Bethel church building at Nshara Parish of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT), in Hai District, Kilimanjaro Region.
The directive followed presentations on the construction of the Machame campus of Stefano Moshi Memorial University College (SMMUCo), owned by the ELCT Northern Diocese, and a request for stronger cooperation between the government and the Church in providing education.
Delivering the President's greetings, Dr Nchemba said the government recognised the contribution of religious institutions to national development and would continue working with them to provide services to citizens.
He said the country's development could not be discussed without recognising the role played by the Church, especially in education and healthcare.
“You cannot talk about the development of our country without mentioning the contribution of the Church,” he said.
Dr Nchemba congratulated members of Nshara Parish, church leaders, the construction committee and other stakeholders for completing the new church building.
On environmental protection, he urged Tanzanians to take tree conservation seriously and understand the effects of climate change.
He directed Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner Nurdin Babu to follow up on concerns about tree cutting raised during the service and work with relevant leaders to address the matter.
The Prime Minister also asked the regional commissioner to look into a request for streetlights around the church and follow up on infrastructure concerns raised by the Hai Member of Parliament.
ELCT head Bishop Alex Malasusa congratulated the congregation and other stakeholders who contributed to the construction of the church.
He also stressed the importance of good parenting, open communication within families and resolving conflicts in society.
The ELCT Northern Diocese Bishop, Dr Fredrick Onael Shoo, called for continued cooperation between the government and the Church in education and health.
He said the partnership provided a good example of how the public and private sectors could work together through public-private partnerships (PPPs) to improve services for citizens.
Speaking on behalf of the construction committee, its member Freeman Mbowe said residents had set aside 50 acres of land for educational development and handed it over to the ELCT Northern Diocese.
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He said they hoped the university would provide quality education, with a strong focus on science and technology.
According to a statement from Nshara Parish, construction of the new church building took more than 10 years and cost an estimated TZS6.5 billion. The building can accommodate 2,000 worshippers.
The inauguration and dedication service was led by Bishop Shoo, while Bishop Malasusa delivered the sermon.