Economic empowerment council (Neec)

The National Economic Empowerment Council (NEEC) has inaugurated the National Entrepreneurship Training Framework (NETF) that is intended to be applied in schools and colleges in a bid to strengthen entrepreneurship spirit among Tanzanians. It is hoped that the move will make Tanzanian youths and citizens at large more productive in both private and public sectors. Talking to journalists after the inaugural event over the weekend in Dar es Salaam, the executive secretary, NEEC, Beng’i Issa said the training framework seeks to build a strong base of youths with quality entrepreneurial skills. “This framework is important for both private and public sectors which have a vital role to play in achieving the National 2025 Vision,” she noted. She explained that research done by the Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship Development (IMED) and NEEC in 2012 showed that there was no comprehensive framework guiding entrepreneurship teaching in the country. Explaining further, she said basically Tanzania was lagging behind other countries in the area and it is now high time the nation should embrace such trainings from lower education levels, secondary schools, universities and other groups. Earlier, inaugurating the framework, the Minister for Education and Vocational Training, Dr Shukuru Kawambwa said the roadmap document will help the nation be competitive and hence achieve sustainable development. “Education is a priority of the government in the ongoing Big Results Now (BRN),” the minister said in his speech read on his behalf by the director for schools quality assurance in the ministry, Marystela Wasena. He said that the framework was a very important document in achieving various government goals such as citizens’ empowerment, youth development, education and vocational training, increasing employment and strengthening small and medium enterprises in the country. He noted that all the goals emphasise a need to have a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit and practice to improve people’s welfare and attaining strong economy. He explained that his ministry would continue to act as a link among education stakeholders in making sure that it is smoothly implemented. An official from the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Mkuku Louis said research showed that all countries that prioritise entrepreneurship achieve meaningful progress. “With abundant resources Tanzania has, entrepreneurship skills among her people, will bring this country to another level,” he said. He said ILO commends the step taken by the government to have the framework and promised to continue with cooperation. The preparation of the NETF involved various local and international partners from private and public institutions and entrepreneurs and sponsored by the ILO and Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO).