Introduction

The Government of United Republic of Tanzania (URT) through the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) continues to implement various Programs targeting to enable the Country to reach the status of Upper Middle Income Semi-Industrialized Country by 2025. In efforts to reach the said income status, the Government in collaboration with the World Bank implements the Education and Skills for Productive Jobs (ESPJ) program. The ESPJ is part of implementation of the National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS), which aims at widening employment opportunities in six priority sectors namely: Agriculture, Agri-business and Agro-processing; Tourism and Hospitality; Transportation and logistics; Construction; Energy; and Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

Tanzania Education Authority (TEA) has been mandated by MoEST to manage Skills Development Fund (SDF) which is a component under ESPJ. The above-mentioned Innovative Training through E-Learning delivery mode window is part of SDF components.

In ensuring that objectives of this Window are accomplished, TEA has allocated funds for financing innovations in provision of skills development training through e-learning delivery mode. The developed contents of the innovation programs should be placed in the public domain to enable wider dissemination and continuity of skills acquisition. Therefore, eligible institutions are invited to submit their proposals to request for grants to support:

1. Innovative projects such as use of digital technologies in the delivery of training (for example smart classrooms, computers for simulations etc.);
2. Development of new innovative courses focusing on the increasing demand for digital competences of trainees;
3. Strengthening the existing programs through incorporation of innovative components; and
4. Strengthening innovative training through e-learning delivery mode to enable more Tanzanians to access skills development training at affordable costs.

Areas of Support

In Financial Year 2021/2022, TEA through SDF, has allocated funds for financing innovative skills development training through e-learning delivery mode. The provided funds should be utilised to implement the following sectors and areas:

Sector	New/Innovative technologies
Agriculture and Agri-business	Bio-mass development Green house technology Aquaponics Livestock technology Food safety and storage Digital crop monitoring Smart Agriculture Climate Smart Agriculture
Construction	Technologies to enhance quality, reduce costs, reduce accidents and improve faster construction timelines Sustainable low-energy housing Use of recycled and eco-friendly construction materials Use of  Computerised Numerical Control (CNC) technology in architectural and engineering work
Tourism & hospitality	Eco-Tourism Community-based tourism Adventure tourism
Manufacturing	CNC technology training courses to improve on productivity, quality and competitiveness of products e.g. in welding, furniture-making etc.
Transport & Logistics	Hi-tech auto mechanics courses using CNC Computerized vehicles mechanical trouble shooting Refresher courses that will lead to behavioral change for professional drivers and reduction in accidents Courses to improve services in cargo handling, including use of ICT.
Energy	Subjects related to use of solar technologies Bio gas systems: construction and production Water treatment technologies
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)	Elementary ICT courses for selected target groups such as auto mechanics, street vendors and rural women Digital learning technologies & tools such as computer simulations and smart classrooms Digital marketing – use of social media i.e. Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, online sales etc. Cybercrime fighting  Systems development – website design, software applications Internet-of-Things Introduction of digital technologies such as CNC and Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) into Technical Vocational Educational Training (TVET) programs Artificial intelligence (AI) E-learning and blended learning including Procurement and development of online learning courses for TVET, Procurement of hardware for TVET institutions for introduction of online courses, Teacher training in use of online-based teaching methods, E-commerce/m-commerce Smartphones and Mobile apps for increasing access to available services/opportunities. Rapid Development of web and mobile-based applications using open sources/technologies. Mobile phone repair and maintenance using multimedia/videos. Maximizing development, adoption and use of location-based services in improving transportation services, use of Blockchain  and other smart technologies especially in ESPJ six priority sectors. Any other skill development area that will contribute to the advancement of digital economy while increasing employment opportunities

 

Selection Criteria

The following will be among criteria to guide the selection process:

1. The training must be innovative at the national level, as described above, and have a likelihood to contribute to the country’s economic development;
2. The training must be relevant to the labor market, i.e. there must be an expressed demand by potential employers for the training;
3. The training must be likely to attract a reasonable number of qualified participants;  
4. More attention is given to innovative projects such as use of digital technologies in the delivery of training (for example smart classrooms, computers for simulations etc.);
5. Development of new courses focusing on the increasing demand for digital competences of trainees; and
6. Legal registration of the Institution, sustainability plan and results from physical verification.

Targeted Beneficiaries of Training Programs

The training programs aim at benefiting not less than 4,350 Tanzanian youth countrywide, to enhance productivity in their daily production activities as per Government requirements in the said priority sectors.

Criteria for the Applicants

All applicants who meet the following criteria may apply for the SDF grant:

1. Registered and legally recognized technical and vocational training institutions that provide training in the indicated priority sectors. Universities should not apply;
2. Institutions should be capable to continue with training and operations related to skills development through e-learning delivery mode beyond SDF financing (Sustainability Action Plan should be submitted);
3. Institutions with diligent records in management of public funds, timely completion and with required quality of projects that were implemented before. The Institutions which have implemented effectively and efficiently SDF Phase One and Two projects will be given priority.

Implementation of Training Programs

1. Innovative training through e-learning delivery mode programs should focus on implementing six key priority sectors as mentioned in the Introduction part of this Call.
2. Training programs should be delivered between one month and three months and should focus on solving skills challenges in specific sector. Training institutions should ensure that all relevant programs are certified/ accredited by relevant Authorities;
3. The E-Learning/Learning Management System (LMS) platform should be recognized officially at the institution level with a support letter from relevant Authority and shall be verified by SDF technical team;
4. Financed programs should be able to train not less than 270 youth for Technical Colleges and 300 for Vocational Training Centres; and
5. Programs should consider accessibility of special groups of women and people with disabilities. It is recommended that at least 45% of all trainees to be women.

Allocated Grant

A total of Tanzania Shillings (TZS) 131,220,000 has been allocated for each program requested by the Training institution. Institutions are advised to apply grants for only one program to benefit not less than 270 beneficiaries for Technical Colleges or 300 beneficiaries for Vocation Training Centres. This grant focuses to support 5 technical colleges and 10 Vocational Training Centres.

Processes to Access the Grant

1. Applicants should submit project proposals, which will be assessed to determine conformity to criteria for accessing the Grant. Successful institutions will be required to submit additional information and shall be subjected to physical verification to authenticate submitted information in their project proposals. The Grant will be disbursed to relevant institution basing on the satisfaction and recommendation by SDF Technical team, and signed Grant and Performance Agreement.
2. Instructions for processes for applying for this grant is available in News and Updates; and Skill Development Fund sections of the TEA website (www.tea.or.tz).

Time and Mode for Submission of the Application

All applications should be developed following a guideline and a proposal format provided by TEA. The Guideline and Proposal Format can be accessible through: www.tea.or.tz or can be requested through e-mail: sdf@tea.or.tz or collected at TEA office.

Time allocated for submission of Proposals under this Call is 14 days from 11th April, 2022and the deadline will be 25th April 2022. After this deadline, no Proposals will be accepted. All Proposals should be sent through speed mails courier services such as EMS, DHL or other couriers. Proposals should be addressed to the Director General, Tanzania Education Authority via the address provided at the end of this Advertisement.

Applying Institution should submit three copies of their Proposal, accompanied by covering letter and all requested attachments. Any Proposal with missing relevant documentation will not be processed.

Public Notice on Successful Applicants

A list of all successful applicants will be announced through widely circulated newspapers, TEA website and communicated via letters. Both Successful and Unsuccessful applicants will also be informed through e-mails provided in their applications/proposals.

 

Inquiriesand Consultation Related to the Call

For Inquiries and further consultation, please contact us through Office Telephone number: +255 22 2781165, or Skills Development Coordinator (+255789304181 or +255754304181), e-mail: masozi.nyirenda@tea.or.tz or sdf@tea.or.tz

Submission of Complaints

All complaints related to this call for proposals should be submitted to the Director General, Tanzania Education Authority using address provided below:

 

                                        

Director General,

Tanzania Education Authority,

Plot No. 711/1, Bima Road,

Mikocheni B,

P.O. Box 34578,

DAR ES SALAAM.

E-mail: info@tea.or.tz

Tel:Tel: +255 22 2781165 | +255 22 2781079
Fax:+255 22 2781086