Govt pushes for mid-level education curricular review

DAR ES SALAAM: THE government has urged colleges and institutions providing mid-level cadre education such as the College of Business Education (CBE) to revise their curricula to meet the evolving demands of the job market as well as social and economic needs.

The call was made yesterday by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr Doto Biteko during the commemoration of CBE’s 60th Anniversary and the launch of its 50-Year Strategic Vision.

Dr Biteko stressed the importance of integrating modern technologies and innovative teaching approaches to effectively address global challenges.

“There is a need for institutions to prioritise entrepreneurship training, enabling graduates to contribute to the national economy through in novative businesses and selfemployment,” he said.

He said the government also called for stronger collaboration between academic institutions and the private sector to ensure training aligns with market demands and supports the growth of industries through research and capacity-building initiatives.

For six decades, Dr Biteko said CBE has played a pivotal role in shaping Tanzania’s business landscape, producing skilled professionals who have significantly contributed to the country’s economic and social development.

With campuses in Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Mwanza and Mbeya, he explained that the college has expanded access to business education tailored to various professional needs.

Through strategic part ensure its strategic vision translates into tangible actions rather than remaining a mere document. He called on all stakeholders, government, private sector, donors and international partners to work closely with CBE in achieving its goals.

“The government recognises business education as a cornerstone for economic and social progress. Institutions like CBE are critical in equipping the nation with the knowledge and skills needed to achieve development goals, including Vision 2025 and the Third Five-Year Development Plan (FYDP III),” Dr Biteko said.

On his part, Minister for Industry and Trade, Dr Selemani Jafo said CBE has been at the forefront of conducting research aimed at solving pressing economic issues.

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He said the research has informed better decisionmaking and improved business and industrial policies, fostering sustainable solutions for Tanzania’s economic growth.

Dr Jafo added that the college offers short-term training programmes for professionals across various sectors, equipping them with advanced skills in technology, business management and market strategies.

“These programmes have enhanced the competencies of entrepreneurs and corporate leaders, enabling them to thrive in competitive markets,” he said.

Dr Jafo further said CBE has forged partnerships with national and international institutions such as SIDO, TBS and TCDC, as well as universities in Germany, China and Finland, explaining that these collaborations have facilitated the exchange of knowledge and research enhancing the quality of education and preparing Tanzanian students for global markets.

He said CBE serves as a key to unlocking business opportunities in Tanzania, saying that the next vision is to ensure that the country capitalises on opportunities to oversee business matters through CBE.

“CBE is a hub for shaping young people into competent entrepreneurs and effective financial managers,” he said.

Dr Jafo said the goal is to strengthen digital trade among the youth to boost the nation’s economy and make them competitive on the global stage.

Minister for Finance Dr Mwigulu Nchemba said that in the next phase of the university expansion project (HEET), the government will ensure that CBE is included in the list of colleges that deserve funding.

He said that for 60 years since its establishment, the college has been the catalyst for business development in the country by producing thousands of graduates who have been working in the public and private sectors.

According to CBE Rector Prof Edda Lwoga, the college has made progress in admission where a total of 22,335 students have been admitted in its campuses in Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Dodoma and Mbeya.

She said the college has succeeded in expanding its programmes from the diploma level to the master’s degree level, adding that currently the college offers a total of 63 programmes that include certificate level, diploma, first degree and master’s degree.

She said that in order to ensure that they reach many qualified people for Master’s Degrees, CBE has improved its curricula where they have started to provide online master’s degree.