In Tanzania, as in much of Africa, education policy reflects a troubling misalignment with the realities of the labour market. While we continue to pour resources into higher education, graduating students in fields with limited job prospects, our economy suffers from a dire shortage of skilled workers in practical, high-demand sectors.
This persistent allocation of resources to academic programmes that bear little relation to Tanzania’s economic needs is not merely inefficient—it is a form of systemic neglect. Why are we still channelling public funds into producing graduates for jobs that do not exist?
The central problem is that Tanzania, like many African nations, has bought into the false prestige of academic degrees. Universities churn out graduates in political science, business administration, and public management—fields that neither satisfy nor stimulate the demands of our local economy.
Degrees are undoubtedly essential in certain fields, yet to prioritise them universally in a context where practical skills are sorely needed reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of what our nation requires.
Consider the transformation of the once-effective Dar es Salaam Technical College (DTC) into the Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT). Originally, DTC focused on producing skilled technicians in fields that directly contributed to infrastructure and development.
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However, in a misguided quest for prestige, the institution evolved to mimic a university structure, shifting its emphasis from practical training to degree-based education. Today, Tanzania suffers from a dearth of skilled tradespeople, while many DIT graduates are unemployed.
This isn’t just a failure of DIT; it’s a failure of an entire policy mindset that equates degrees with development.
Wide-ranging effects
The impact of this degree-centric education system is deeply felt across Tanzanian society. Young people, full of potential and promise, leave universities to find themselves unprepared and unequipped for the reality of the labour market.
Rather than contributing to economic growth, they swell the ranks of the unemployed, struggling to apply their theoretical knowledge to a practical economy. This misalignment between educational output and the labour market drains resources that could otherwise bolster vocational and technical education—fields where job demand remains high and stable.
The tragedy is that Tanzania’s industries need skilled labour, but our education system does not produce it. Agricultural technology, construction, electronics, and renewable energy—these sectors could propel the economy forward, yet vocational training in these areas is woefully underfunded.
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Meanwhile, billions are funnelled into higher education to maintain an illusion of progress through diplomas that offer prestige but little economic value. This is not just an educational oversight; it’s a political decision with severe economic consequences.
Vocational training
The path forward is clear but remains ignored. Vocational training—hands-on, skills-based education—is the backbone of any self-sufficient economy.
Countries like Germany and Switzerland recognised this decades ago, investing in systems that value practical skills over academic degrees and producing a workforce capable of meeting the demands of modern industries.
Yet Tanzania’s vocational sector remains chronically underfunded and underappreciated, with technical institutions like the Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) receiving a fraction of the resources allocated to universities.
By prioritising vocational training, Tanzania could build an economy that relies on local skills rather than foreign expertise. A robust vocational education system would empower young people to enter the workforce with market-ready skills, capable of contributing directly to their communities and the nation at large.
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Imagine a generation of Tanzanians skilled in renewable energy, automotive technology, or sustainable agriculture—fields where they could innovate, create jobs, and drive economic progress.
Dangerous path
The blind pursuit of academic prestige over practical value is not just misguided; it’s dangerous. In a nation where youth unemployment hovers around crisis levels, prioritising degrees over vocational skills is a choice to leave young people stranded in an economy that does not accommodate them.
This obsession with degrees reflects a deeper cultural problem—a societal hierarchy that undervalues labour and places unearned respect on titles and diplomas.
It’s time for a cultural and policy shift. Degrees should not be the ultimate marker of success in a society struggling with basic developmental needs. Vocational skills must be valued for their practical contributions to economic resilience and self-reliance.
The question we must ask ourselves is not whether a degree holds intrinsic value, but rather: does this degree serve Tanzania? If the answer is no, we are failing both our young people and our nation.
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To realign our education system with the demands of the labour market, we must rethink where we invest. Rebuilding vocational and technical institutions like VETA, upgrading their resources, and developing partnerships with industry are not merely alternatives to university education—they are necessities.
Tanzanian policymakers must prioritise funding for skills-based education over theoretical degrees that perpetuate unemployment and dependency.
It’s time to face the reality: without skilled tradespeople, technicians, and hands-on expertise, Tanzania’s vision of self-sufficiency and sustainable growth is nothing but an illusion.
Investing in vocational training isn’t just about filling jobs—it’s about empowering a generation, fostering innovation, and reclaiming economic independence. While the prestige of a degree may appeal to societal expectations, the power of practical skills will build Tanzania’s future.
Paul Mdumi is the Programme Manager for Dialogue and Peacebuilding at Danmission, Denmark’s oldest and largest missionary organisation. He is available at paul.mdumi@gmail.com or on X as @Rev_MdumiJR. These are the writer’s own opinions and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of The Chanzo. Do you want to publish in this space? Contact our editors at editor@thechanzo.com for further inquiries.
