University of Dodoma suspends admission into nine teacher education degree programmes

“The university is currently in consultation with the relevant regulatory authority. Should there be any changes or new information regarding this announcement, it will be communicated promptly,” reads part of the notice.

Speaking to Mwananchi, Udom Vice Chancellor Prof Lughano Kusiluka confirmed the consultations, saying the university is in dialogue with all key stakeholders and will issue a comprehensive statement once the process is complete.

“There is no need for panic. We are working closely with the regulator. Once the discussions are concluded, we will provide clear guidelines,” he said.

Asked what prompted the suspension, Prof Kusiluka declined to elaborate, saying it was too early to provide details and urged the public to be patient.

However, The Citizen understands that the suspension is linked to an ongoing nationwide review of university curricula in response to recent changes in Tanzania’s education system.

In February 2024, the Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU), which oversees the quality of higher education, issued a new framework for the development and implementation of teacher education degree programmes. The guidelines are aimed at aligning university offerings with the revised curricula for primary and secondary education, and call for substantial changes in teacher training.

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A lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Dr Faraja Kristomus, said the decision highlights a policy disconnect within the government, noting that many teacher education programmes do not meet the current requirements for public sector employment.

“What is surprising is that many education stakeholders actually see this move as the right one. Why? Because under the current national employment framework, graduates of these programmes are not recognised as qualified teachers. The government hires those who studied two teaching subjects. As a result, many graduates have remained unemployed,” said Dr Kristomus.

Another education expert, Dr Shadidu Ndossa from St John’s University in Dodoma, acknowledged the ongoing reforms but maintained that the suspended programmes still have relevance in the job market.

“It’s possible that the university is reviewing these programmes to improve them. The suspension appears temporary. In terms of market demand and curriculum relevance, these programmes are still necessary. Udom is best placed to provide further clarification,” he said.

On social media, particularly Udom’s official Instagram page, some stakeholders called on the university to clarify the decision, noting that students had already begun submitting applications.

“The university made a big mistake. This announcement should have been made before applications opened on July 15. Besides, the TCU Guide Book for 2025/26 still lists these programmes under Udom. Why haven’t they been removed from the system altogether?” asked a user identified as Clever_Wenger.

In response, Udom’s Head of Marketing and Communications, Ms Rose Mdami, assured prospective students that alternative arrangements would be provided and that no one would miss out on a programme that meets their academic goals.

“There is no need for concern. We will communicate the way forward in due course,” she said.