DAR ES SALAAM, Oct 15 (NNN-DAILYNEWS) — PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has lauded the long friendship and continued support China has been extending to Tanzania.
Samia made the remarks during the handing over and launching of a modern Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) College, located at Nyakato Ward, a few kilometres from Bukoba town.
She directed the Kagera Regional Commissioner, Albert Chalamila, District Commissioners and District Executive Directors (DEDs), to keep a list of students who are enrolled at the VETA College and ensure that once they graduate, they are provided with work equipment to start a new life.
This will make them sustainable and create self-employment, the president said.
The Head of State appealed to youths, especially those from Kagera region, to utilise the VETA College and pledged that once the studies commence, the government would allocate 1.1bn /- each month for operational costs and would also pay school fees to 20 students (10 boys and 10 girls) who hail from poor families pursuing long courses.
The president asked people where similar projects were being undertaken to ensure that they safeguard them and avoid vandalism for their own benefit and that of future generations.
“This multi-billion project was of great importance. Apart from training youths in lifelong skills, it will also provide employment opportunities to surrounding villagers. The government was keen to construct VETA colleges in every district to enable the youths to get life-long skills,” she said.
Samia explained that a recent study released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), indicated that about 12 per cent of Tanzanian youths were unemployed. It was on this basis that the government was working hard to provide them with life-long skills.
“Other big projects need skilled labour which will create employment opportunities for youths. Out of the 139 districts VETA has 77 colleges. The government has allocated 100bn/- this year for the exercise and would continue to allocate 100bn/ each year,” she said.
Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania, Chen Mingjian explained that the implementation of the VETA project was among China’s support to African countries, including capacity building.
She was optimistic that the VETA College will create high quality skills for youths and open doors to success.
The Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Adolf Mkenda said plans were being finalised to construct similar VETA colleges in Geita, Songwe and Rukwa regions.
The Acting National VETA Director, CPA Anthony Kasore, informed Samia that the project was undertaken by a Chinese contractor, Shadxi Construction Investment Group Ltd, that cost a total of 22.04bn/- upon completion.
Under phase one about 400 students on long courses would be enrolled while under phase two about 1,000 students taking short courses would be enrolled, he said.
He explained that the college would provide vocational skills in various fields including mechanical and electrical engineering, plumbing, carpentry and driving.
Kagera Regional Commissioner (RC), Albert Chalamila, hailed President Samia Suluhu Hassan for allocating 27.9bn/- for the construction of 1,395 classrooms that enabled students to study in a friendly environment.
Under phase one, the government allocated 17.7bn/ through the Covid-19 package that enabled the construction of 881 classrooms while recently the government allocated at least 10.2bn/ for the construction of 514 classrooms.
He explained that during the 2022/23 financial year, the government had allocated over 40bn/- for water infrastructure development.
VETA is an autonomous government Agency established through the Act of Parliament No. 1 of 1994 Chapter 82 [Revised in 2006].
The overall objective of establishment of VETA is to oversee the Vocational Education and Training (VET) system in Tanzania. It is charged with the responsibilities of promoting, coordinating, providing, regulating and financing VET in the Country. — NNN-DAILYNEWS
