We’re excited to share some key insights from the recent peer review conducted as part of the Kilimanjaro VET project in spring 2025. Our capacity building initiative aims to build vocational education capacity in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania, and the review provided invaluable lessons for all partners involved.
The peer review process, organized by the OAMK, Finland, brought together project partners to share emerging good practices, develop them collectively, and evaluate the project’s progress.
Key achievements highlighted:
The review underscored significant advancements in several core areas:
- Competence-based education: Institutions demonstrated notable progress in implementing student-centered learning strategies, with assessments aligned to competency-based outcomes and active student participation in hands-on activities. Teachers are effectively using various methods, including participatory learning, project-based learning, and real-world applications.
- Digital transformation: There’s been enhanced use of digital tools like laptops, projectors, and phones to facilitate teaching and learning, making classrooms more interactive and engaging.
- Continuous professional development: Teachers are benefiting from various opportunities such as workshops, seminars, and online courses, with a focus on improving pedagogical, digital, and entrepreneurial skills. Mentorship meetings and opportunities for knowledge sharing are also encouraged.
- Strong networks: The project has fostered local, regional, and international networks, supporting knowledge sharing and providing access to new teaching materials and tools. Collaborations with industries for student internships and exchange programs with international partners are proving highly beneficial.
While celebrating these achievements, the review also openly acknowledged challenges. These include limited resources, resistance to change from some teachers, difficulties in competence-based assessment, and the need for more comprehensive training on differentiated instruction and digital tools. Insufficient internet capacity and the high cost of technology were also identified as areas for improvement.
These challenges are seen as opportunities for continuous improvement. Recommendations emphasize the need for continued evaluation, more targeted training, enhanced digital infrastructure, and strengthening local and international networking for even greater knowledge exchange.
The peer review confirmed that the project’s activities are of high quality and progressing smoothly, demonstrating the powerful effect of collaborative evaluation and continuous professional development. Let’s continue to learn and innovate together to empower the future of VET in Tanzania and beyond!
Photo from peer review