Samia launches 103 vocational schools, cotton processing factory

Mwanza. President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, laid the foundation stone for MwamaPalala Vocational Secondary School in Itilima District, Simiyu Region.

The move marks a significant milestone in the government’s initiative to establish 103 vocational schools countrywide.

Situated in northern Simiyu, the school is designed to serve as a model for the other vocational institutions under development.

These schools aim to equip learners with practical skills for self-employment and improve their competitiveness in the job market, especially within the private sector.

Speaking during the event, President Hassan stressed the urgent need to overhaul the education system, pointing out that many young people complete secondary school without marketable skills and end up waiting for jobs that may never materialise.

“We are changing that narrative. A student who finishes Form Four should not sit idle, hoping for employment. Instead, they should have the skills to venture into something or secure employment across various sectors. That is the rationale behind the vocational and technical college initiative,” she said.

She urged parents and guardians to encourage their children to enrol in the new schools, tailored to prepare young people for hands-on careers.

The President also acknowledged the current shortage of teachers in the newly established institutions, revealing that MwamaPalala School has only five teachers so far.

She further pledged to address other long-standing challenges facing the Itilima District, though she did not go into detail.

Sh1.6 billion investment

The Minister of State in the President’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government), Mr Mohamed Mchengerwa, said construction of MwamaPalala Vocational Secondary School had reached 96 percent completion for Sh1.6 billion.

The school comprises 13 buildings: eight classrooms, four dormitories, a dining hall, an administration block, a staff house, eight student toilet units, and three workshops for carpentry, masonry, and plumbing, which are still being finalised.

“All the buildings are interconnected with paved walkways to ensure safety and ease of movement around the school compound,” said Mr Mchengerwa.

He added that all local government authorities involved in the project had committed to using their own-source revenue to construct perimeter walls around the schools to enhance the security of students and staff.

Reviving technical education

The Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Adolf Mkenda, said the establishment of vocational schools forms part of the government’s broader education reform agenda aimed at ensuring students acquire both academic and practical competencies.

He explained that the training will follow two main streams: one centred on vocational skills related to agriculture, livestock, and fishing; and the other offering technical trades such as carpentry, masonry, plumbing, and electrical installation.

“In the past, we had institutions like Ifunda, Moshi Technical, and Bwiru that focused on technical education, but over time, they drifted from their original mandate and abandoned vocational training,” said Prof Mkenda, adding: “We are now reviving and expanding that model.”

According to him, 26 of the 103 vocational schools are being built in the first phase on the Tanzanian mainland, with two additional schools under construction in Zanzibar. The rest will follow in later phases.

Upon completion, students will earn two certificates: a Form Four certificate from the National Examinations Council of Tanzania (Necta) and a technical skills certificate from the National Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (Nactvet).

“These dual qualifications will not only enhance employability but also provide students with a defined pathway to further education,” noted Prof Mkenda.

Pathway to higher education

Students who complete the initial four years will have the option to pursue two additional years at advanced vocational secondary schools.

Alternatively, they may enrol in polytechnic institutions for three years before proceeding to university.

To support effective learning, Prof Mkenda said the government has allocated Sh40 billion for the purchase of training equipment and instructional materials, which are expected to be delivered by January 2026 when the first intake begins.

He also revealed that 115 schools had already been registered as vocational training institutions under the new national education framework.

Boost for cotton sector

In another development, President Hassan inaugurated the Shree Rajendra Agro Industries Ltd cotton processing factory, also located in Itilima District. The facility includes a ginning plant (ginnery) and cotton storage warehouses.

The factory is expected to significantly impact the local economy by adding value to cotton—one of Simiyu Region’s primary cash crops—while fostering industrial cooperation between Tanzania and India.

President Hassan said the factory’s launch was timely and aligned with the government’s goals of enhancing value addition in agriculture, increasing farmer incomes, and boosting the nation’s export potential.

“With this facility, farmers will earn more, government revenue will increase, and our cotton will no longer be exported in raw form but as a processed product,” she stated.

Local officials said cotton buyers in the district are now offering Sh1,200 per kilogramme, up from the official price of Sh1,150, attributing the increase to heightened competition and enhanced local processing capacity.

The factory is also anticipated to generate hundreds of direct and indirect jobs while contributing significantly to the district’s and region’s revenue collections.

Strengthening bilateral ties

During the inauguration, representatives of Shree Rajendra Agro Industries Ltd praised the enduring friendship between Tanzania and India, noting that the investment reflected shared economic priorities and long-term cooperation.

The company plans to expand its operations in the coming years and will work closely with farmers and agricultural cooperatives to ensure a steady supply of high-quality raw cotton.

Regional authorities, Members of Parliament, and development partners who attended the event welcomed the factory’s opening, describing it as a game-changer for Simiyu and neighbouring regions.