Tanzania moves to upgrade Community Development colleges for degree programs

DODOMA: THE Tanzanian government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Community Development colleges across the country to enable them to meet the academic standards required to offer degree programs, a move aimed at improving the community development education system and enhancing the capacity of professionals in the sector.

The statement was made on June 15, 2026, by the Minister for Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, Dr Dorothy Gwajima, while responding to a question in Parliament from Musoma Urban Member of Parliament Miraji Kigera. The legislator sought clarification on the government’s plans to upgrade Buhare Community Development College, which has been offering certificate and diploma programs for more than 58 years.

Dr Gwajima said the college’s elevation to degree-awarding status will depend on its ability to meet key institutional requirements, including financial sustainability, adequate infrastructure, and the availability of qualified personnel. She noted that the government is implementing reforms aimed at granting greater operational autonomy to community development colleges while affiliating them with the Tengeru Institute of Community Development to strengthen their academic, administrative, and financial capacity.

According to the minister, the affiliation model is intended to enhance curriculum management, improve the quality of academic staff, and strengthen institutional financial resources—factors that play a critical role in determining whether an institution qualifies for an upgrade to degree-level status.

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Addressing infrastructure development, Dr Gwajima stated that the government allocated 500m/- during the 2023/2024 financial year for the rehabilitation of facilities at Buhare Community Development College, including the construction of a conference hall. She said the investment forms part of a broader strategy to improve teaching and learning environments in community development colleges nationwide.

She further revealed that the government plans to allocate an additional 500m/-in the 2026/2027 budget for the purchase of teaching and learning equipment at the college. The investment is expected to strengthen practical skills training and support the implementation of competency-based education reforms currently being emphasized within the national education system.

Overall, the ongoing process positions Buhare Community Development College within a broader framework of long-term institutional transformation. Government officials maintain that advancement to degree-awarding status will depend not only on the institution’s long history of training professionals, but also on its ability to meet modern higher education standards and respond effectively to the evolving demands of the labor market.