Joseph Isangura
The Parliament of Tanzania has officially approved a TSh 2.439 trillion budget for the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, marking a significant investment in the country’s long-term development and commitment to building a knowledge-based economy.
The announcement was made during a parliamentary session, where Prof. Adolf Mkenda, the Minister for Education, received widespread praise from lawmakers for his leadership and collaborative approach.
Out of the total budget:
- TSh 688.6 billion has been allocated for recurrent expenditures,
- TSh 635.2 billion for civil servant salaries,
- and TSh 53.3 billion for other operational costs.
More than TSh 1.7 trillion of the total is dedicated to development projects, with TSh 1.186 trillion sourced domestically and TSh 560.8 billion provided by international development partners.
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Prof. Mkenda outlined five priority areas for the 2025/26 financial year:
- Implementing updated education policies and curriculum, reviewing relevant laws, producing new teaching guidelines, and enhancing teacher training.
- Expanding access to quality vocational education in secondary schools and vocational institutes.
- Enhancing the quality of primary education, secondary education, and teacher training programs.
- Improving standards and capacity in higher education.
- Investing in scientific research, technology, and innovation to support sustainable development.
In addition, the Tanzania National Commission for UNESCO has been allocated TSh 3.2 billion, with TSh 1.5 billion reserved for salaries and TSh 1.7 billion for other operating expenses.
Lawmakers emphasized that this investment is more than just numbers—it’s a foundation for national progress. By focusing on reforms, skills development, and innovation, Tanzania is positioning itself to compete globally while addressing local education and employment challenges.
