Overview:
Evolve Global Solutions collaborated with the Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) in Tanzania to develop an engaging continuous professional development (CPD) programme for VET trainers. The aim of the project was to equip trainers with the necessary skills and tools to implement active learning techniques in the design of all courses. This was achieved through the implementation of a curriculum management handbook that supports the development, monitoring, and quality improvement of student-centred and active learning in VET, as well as planning the implementation of CPD programmes to raise the quality of teaching and learning, leadership and management development, and innovation in teaching and learning.

Challenge:
The challenge was to ensure that VET trainers in Tanzania had the knowledge and tools to implement active learning techniques in the design of all courses. Didactic teaching approaches were prevalent in the majority of education systems around the world, which often stemmed from a culture that viewed education in a traditional format. Additionally, the reasons for trainers not implementing active learning techniques ranged from teachers falling in with the customary culture within their college or to education leaders not being supportive of new approaches, or simply that students didn’t react well to student-centred learning.

Solution:
Evolve Global Solutions implemented interventions that focused on the identified barriers. Working with teachers on their own and alongside their students, offering shadowing and mentoring opportunities as well as knowledge exchange and exchange visits with UK staff. They also supported education leaders to help them manage the process and to ensure sustainability and continuous improvements in the teaching and learning process. The team developed a curriculum handbook as a resource to support on-going development in this area. The project team collaborated with teachers/trainers, education leaders, the national teacher training centre, and the VETA board to achieve the goals of the project.

Results:
The project resulted in a CPD programme for VET trainers that equipped them with the necessary skills and tools to implement active learning techniques in the design of all courses. The curriculum management handbook developed by the project team supported the development, monitoring, and quality improvement of student-centred and active learning in VET. This resulted in raised standards of vocational education and training delivery in Tanzania through the creation of a centre of excellence.

Key Learnings:
The project team learned that collaboration with teachers/trainers, education leaders, the national teacher training centre, and the VETA board was key to achieving the goals of the project. It was also important to identify and address the barriers to implementing active learning techniques in the design of all courses.

Conclusion:
Evolve Global Solutions’ collaboration with VETA in Tanzania has resulted in a CPD programme for VET trainers that has equipped them with the necessary skills and tools to implement active learning techniques in the design of all courses. This has led to raised standards of vocational education and training delivery in Tanzania, creating a centre of excellence. The project highlights the importance of collaboration in achieving educational goals and addressing challenges faced in the vocational education and training sector.

Country/Region: Tanzania.