The growth and development of vocational education in mainland Tanzania and its relationship with cottage and modern scale industries (1860-1975)

The purpose of this study was to survey the growth and development of vocational education in mainland Tanzania for the years (1860 - 1975). It was also to find out what relationship there may have been (as regards manpower training, production, and establishment and development of small scale industries) between vocational training and cottage and modern small scale industries.The study is divided into six chapters. Chapter one states the problem with some background details given to see the problem in its proper political and economic setting. The significance of the study is given in this chapter. This is that of giving an organised and evaluative thread of historical development of vocational education in mainla nd Tanzania for the period (1860 - 1975); and of contributing to the discussion on industrialisation as a strategy for economic development in Tanzania from education and training angle and as applied to small scale industries, Definition of terms and concepts used in the study are to be found in this chapter.Chapter two reviews literature relevant to the study ranging from pre colonial crafts and craft education vocational education in missionary and colonial times to vocational education in post independence Tanzanian, choice of technology and the role of vocational education in the development of small scale industries for economic development.Chapter three deals with details of the methods used. The historical nethod was the major method used for the study, Data was collected through reading relevant literature in the Library and elsewhere, This was supplemented by brainstorming sessions and interviews with interview schedules. The brain storming sessions were held in October and Novembers, 1976 (three in all) with some senior staff in vocational education at Chang'ombe vocational training centres, Dar es Salaam, and with some senior staff at the Small Industries Development Organisation (SIDO) headquarters in Dar es Salaam. The issues raised in these sessions were for example the role of vocational education, the role of small scale industries in economic transformation of a developing country like Tanzania. Like literature survey, brainstorming sessions had the objective of clarifying the authors own views on the study taking note of the reactions of experts in the field as well as to give pointers for the formulation of meaningful hypotheses. The interviews were held in December, 1976 and early January, 1977 with senior staff of fourteen institutions located in five regions - Dar es Salaam Morogoro, Iringa, Ruvuma and Kilimanjaro. Chapter four gives the growth and development of vocational education in mainland Tanzania in a historical setting for the period (1860 - 1975) with particular reference to and analysis of pre-colonial craft education missionary and colonial vocational education and vocational education in post independence Tanzania up to 1975. Some implications and conclusions regarding this education are made here and there in the chapter. Chapter five looks at the role of vocational education in industrial development. This is linked with also looking into the role of small scale industries in the country's industrial.isation strategy. As a decision on industrialisation goes with it a decision on choice of technology, the question of appropriate technology for developing country is discussed here: The chapter concludes by looking at the relationship that there has been. or that there should be between vocational education and the establishment and development of small scale industries. Chapter six summarises the study, makes conclusions and points some imp;ications based on the conclusions and recommends some lines of action. The main conclusions (findings were that: (i)In pre-colonial times, cottage industries were found in almost every household, The more specialised industries of blacksmithing which could not be found in every house-hold would still be found within easy reach of each village. Training and production were done at the same centre - the cottage industry. (ii)The coming of slave trade, missionaries, & colonial governmentent led to the decline of local crafts and craft skills throughout the country disrupting the development of indigenous technology. (iii) For political and economic reasons the Africans reacted against the colonial and missionary vocational education. (iv)Post independence Tanzania continued giving vocational education not very much different from that given in the colonial tines namely that this education had practically no relationship with the development of rural small scale industries either in content or in detailed planning and co-ordination for productive employment of those who received the training. After the issuing of the Party Directive in April, 1973 on the establishment and development of small scale industries various organisations started craft training centres. But there is as yet lack of effective co-ordination between. The various training centres and as well with small scale industries. Based on these findings it has been recommended that: Trainining of craftsmen should be related to their being absorbed in productive activities upon completion of their training. This requires knowledge and co-ordination on such issues as marketing, types of industries to be established transportation and storage and financial arrangements. Research at village level is needed in these fields. Production: each vocational training centre should have a production wing, to act as an example of running a small scale industry; to generate funds to offset some running costs of a centre; and thirdly to instill the idea that training is for porduction; finally to increase the number of small scale industries and hence increase in goods manufactured in the general economy of the country. Coordination: SIDO being well placed by law should co-ordinate all the vocational training related to the establishment and development of small scale industries in the country. They should also co-ordinate the establishment and development of these industries and the absobtion of the trainees in productive employment. To properly and effectively execute this function, SIDO needs big help in finances and expertise.Further Research. Researches into the technology used in such African crafts and industries as the iron industry, salt making have been undertaken by people like J.E.G. Sutton and M.D. Roberts. More of this type of research is needed in the other crafts to help in the understanding of the content of indigenous vocational education.1See bibliography for the tittles of their works 3n this field.