Mkenda directs IPOSA programme expansion

TANGA: MINISTER for Education, Science and Technology Prof Adolf Mkenda has directed councils across the nation to include the Integrated Programme for Out-of-School Adolescents (IPOSA) in their plans and budgets, with its success to be measured by the number of young people whose lives improve through education and employment.

He said the programme must move beyond classrooms by creating stronger links between training and jobs, tracking graduates and helping beneficiaries access credit, markets and other economic opportunities.

The Minister was speaking when he launched a new IPOSA centre in Tanga, where the government and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) marked a major milestone after establishing 31 centres in six regions through a three-year, six-million-USdollar partnership. Prof Mkenda’s speech was delivered on his behalf by Deputy Permanent Secretary Prof Daniel Mushi.

“The true value of IPOSA must be seen in the lives of young people, not merely in the number of teachers or buildings,” Prof Mkenda said.

He directed the Institute of Adult Education (IAE) to deepen collaboration with the Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA), the Small Industries Development Organisation (SIDO), Folk Development Colleges (FDCs) and private employers through practical training, mentorship, industrial attachments and employment opportunities.

“Among other things, Councils should make IPOSA centres permanent youth development hubs by including the programme in local plans and budgets, while local committees should help graduates access loans, markets and further training,” he said.

The Minister further called for stronger monitoring systems, including digital platforms that would track graduates and use the data to improve the programme and guide policy decisions.

He said future expansion should build on lessons from the six regions already implementing the Tanzania-KOICA project while maintaining training quality, qualified facilitators and effective supervision.

Prof Mkenda also stressed equitable access, saying girls and boys, young people with disabilities, rural youth and other vulnerable groups should all benefit from the programme.

According to IAE DirectorGeneral, Prof Philipo Sanga, the project has established 31 IPOSA centres in Tanga, Pwani, Manyara, Shinyanga, Singida and Simiyu, while improving training infrastructure and building teachers’ capacity.

He said 149 teachers had completed short-course training, while about 100 others had received sponsorship for diploma studies in vocational education through cooperation between IAE and VETA.

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“The programme also introduced competency-based assessment and micro-credentials, enabling young people to have their skills recognised progressively rather than relying solely on conventional academic qualifications,” Prof Sanga said.

IPOSA offers vocational training in trades such as carpentry, domestic electrical installation, electronics, tailoring and batik, hairdressing and beauty, masonry, horticulture, motor vehicle mechanics and welding, depending on local needs.

The Republic of Korea’s Ambassador to Tanzania, Ms Eunje Ahn, said KOICA had invested about 6 million US dollars in the programme over three years, financing the construction of 31 centres, including three model centres and one special centre in Tanga, as well as equipment and facilitator training.

She said handing over the centres marked the beginning of a new chapter, with Tanzanian institutions expected to take ownership and ensure the facilities continued serving young people.

IPOSA provides an alternative learning pathway for young people aged 14 to 19 who are outside the formal education system, combining literacy, numeracy, life skills, vocational training and entrepreneurship to prepare them for further education, employment and self-employment.

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