DAR ES SALAAM: MORE than 18,000 Vocational Education textbookstextbooks have been distributed free of charge to all secondary schools implementing the vocational stream in
Mainland Tanzania, in a government initiative aimed at strengthening teaching and learning while equipping students with practical skills for self-employment.
A total of 18,354 books were distributed, including 15,780 for Form One and 2,574
for Form Two, to support implementation of the improved curriculum that categorise subjects into vocational and general education streams.
Speaking at the weekend during the distribution exercise, the Director General of the Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE), Dr Aneth Komba, said the government had resolved to provide the books free of charge to both public and private schools in order to boost interest and enthusiasm in vocational subjects.
“The government has provided Vocational Education textbooks free of charge to all
public and private schools to enhance teaching and learning of these subjects, which will help students address employment challenges upon graduation,”
she said.
Dr Komba noted that in 2024, the government began implementing the improved curriculum aimed at building students’ competencies through the
vocational stream.
“The objective of the vocational pathway is to equip students with practical skills and knowledge that will enable them to be self-employed or secure employment,” she emphasised.
She said the vocational stream is designed to respond to labour market demands by enabling students to gain hands-on experience and technical knowhow in various specialisations while still in school.
Alongside the book distribution, TIE also conducted training sessions for heads of schools focusing on curriculum improvements and the use of the online library, where all the textbooks are available in digital format.
Dr Komba expressed gratitude to the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan, for facilitating the availability of funds that enabled the printing and distribution of the books.
She said the government remains committed to ensuring that reforms in the education sector are backed by adequate teaching and learning resources.
For his part, TIE Printing and Distribution Manager, Mr Emmanuel Stanslaus urged
teachers to make effective and proper use of the books to maximise their impact.
“It is important for teachers to use these books properly so that they bring tangible benefits to students according to the
specialisations they pursue,” he said.
Education stakeholders welcomed the initiative, describing it as a significant step towards strengthening the practical component of secondary education.
Nzega Technical Secondary School Headmaster and Vice-Chairperson of Heads of Schools in Mainland Tanzania, Ms Mwanakombo Juma Martin, said the books would enhance effective implementation of the improved curriculum.
“These books will simplify teaching and learning and improve performance in the vocational stream,” she said.
She noted that access to adequate learning materials has been one of the key challenges
facing schools implementing vocational subjects and expressed optimism that the distribution would improve outcomes.
Meanwhile, Bwiru Boys Technical Secondary School Headmaster in Mwanza Region, Mr Thomas Werema, described vocational education as a game changer for Tanzanian youth.