13,000 youths enrolled in non-formal education

DAR ES SALAAM: ENROLMENT in non-formal education has surged to 13,000 youths, with the government pledging not to leave any child behind in the quest for skills and opportunities.

This came to light yesterday in Dar es Salaam when the Commissioner for Education, Dr Lyabwene Mtahabwa, opened a special national dialogue that brought together out-of-school adolescents to share views on the kind of skills they need to create jobs, secure employment and fully participate in economic activities.

“Since the government began implementing non-formal education programmes, participation has grown steadily. Many young people who had once lost hope are now motivated, with 13,000 enrolled nationwide,” he said.

Dr Mtahabwa said these young people, once they saw the opportunity and became confident to seize it, embraced learning with new energy. “They now believe they are valued in society and are gaining the right skills to be self-reliant, employ others and contribute to national progress,” he added.

The dialogue, part of the ongoing education reforms, was organised by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in collaboration with Unicef and other stakeholders.

It drew youth groups from six regions, representatives from relevant ministries, and development partners.

Dr Mtahabwa said the government is committed to strengthening both formal and non-formal education systems to ensure no child is left behind in pursuing their dreams.

He described youth views as an important input in reviewing the implementation of guidelines of the Education and Training Policy of 2014, Revised Edition 2023.

“We need to ensure that nonformal education imparts knowledge, ethics and skills relevant to the Tanzanian, regional, and global context,” he said.

He urged youths to remain confident and resilient when facing challenges, stressing that education outside the classroom must prepare them for self-reliance and contribution to national development.

“When you face challenges, stay calm, find the right solutions and keep pushing forward a door will eventually open. We want our youth to be confident, knowledgeable, ethical and skilled to succeed nationally, regionally and globally,” he said.

During the session, youths raised concerns about challenges they face outside the formal education system, including limited opportunities for practical training, life skills and entrepreneurship pathways.

Unicef Chief of Education in Tanzania, Simone Vis, said the organisation is proud to partner with the ministry and other actors in advancing education reforms, particularly through innovative programmes that equip youth especially girls with opportunities to learn, build confidence and actively participate in community development.

For her part, Dr Mahija Waziri from the National Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (NACTVET) said the dialogue provides useful insights into tackling unemployment among young people.

She urged learners in nonformal education to work hard to meet the expectations of life.

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Speaking as a participant, Jeremiah Pius, a student from Kijitonyama Secondary School in Dar es Salaam, said the discussions would help youths improve their behaviour and recognise opportunities to fight poverty.

“Even at home we are encouraged to follow our parents’ guidance so that we can achieve our goals. These forums help us as young people to identify opportunities in our communities and become self-aware in order to reach our ambitions,” he said.