29 curriculum developers graduate from career counselling training under AKES Tanzania-TIE partnership

DAR ES SALAAM: A total of 29 curriculum developers have graduated from training on integrating career counselling into the national curriculum, thanks to a partnership between the Aga Khan Education Service (AKES) Tanzania and the Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE).

Held at TIE premises in Dar es Salaam, today, 23 September 2025, the ceremony was attended by Dr Aneth Komba, Director General of TIE; Dr Shelina Walli, CEO of AKES, Tanzania and Dr Angela Katabaro, Deputy Director General of TIE.

Others were Mwinyi Yusuph Mnyonge, Academic Officer from the Dar es Salaam City Council; head teachers; beneficiaries; and career counsellors from AKES, Tanzania.

Speaking at the event, Dr Komba emphasised the importance of this collaboration in preparing students for purposeful futures.

“The training has enhanced the expertise of curriculum developers and strengthened their capacity to conduct research and improve the quality of the revised curriculum,” Dr Komba said. “These initiatives are vital for ensuring that students receive education that is relevant, practical and aligned with real-world needs.”

The training was part of the IC3 Institute’s Embark programme, which equips teachers with the skills to act as career counsellors in their classrooms, providing students with guidance to make informed decisions about higher education and future careers.

As part of a shared commitment with IC3, AKES, Tanzania facilitated the enrolment of 29 TIE curriculum developers to benefit from the training, which will support with building career readiness into the education system, both in mainstream and vocational curricula.

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Career counselling has been a key part of students’ experiences at AKES, Tanzania, as they are guided to discover their strengths and interests.

By expanding this approach nationwide, the collaboration seeks to provide students across Tanzania with the confidence and clarity to plan meaningful futures while navigating an evolving global job market.

“Integrating career guidance in teaching and learning enables planning for young people’s present and future,” Dr Walli said. “Building capacity of teachers to support learners in the process of decision-making and taking ownership gives learners confidence and builds their self-worth.”

Prior to the virtual training, AKES, Tanzania organised sessions led by experienced college counsellors to support the curriculum developers.

These sessions introduced practical strategies for incorporating career guidance into everyday lessons, preparing teachers to serve as both educators and mentors.

Participants also explored ways to collaborate with local institutions, giving students access to mentorship opportunities and resources, along with real-world exposure to diverse professions.

Additionally, they learnt about free, online resources, which provides them with additional knowledge, tools and collaborative opportunities for career counselling.

Also read: E-library to offer students access to education resources

Following the training, follow-up workshops and refresher sessions were also conducted by AKES, Tanzania to reinforce the skills acquired and support with implementation plans.

“The Embark programme has equipped us with practical skills to better guide students, and we hope to extend this knowledge to other teachers nationwide,” said Gwido Kalobona, one of the curriculum developers who attended the course.

This partnership between AKES, Tanzania and TIE represents a significant step toward a more holistic education system in Tanzania, ensuring students are equipped with the academic knowledge, skills and guidance to thrive in their chosen careers.

The Aga Khan Education Service, Tanzania operates two non-profit, co-educational schools from nursery to secondary levels. It offers the national curriculum (NECTA), the International Baccalaureate (IB) and the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE).

It is part of the Aga Khan Schools, a global network of 200 schools, eight hostels and over 100 non-formal education programme centres in East Africa, the Middle East and South and Central Asia.