IRINGA: THE Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Sports and Culture, Husna Sekiboko, has commended the government for investing in higher education infrastructure, saying the initiative is expanding educational opportunities for young people and stimulating economic activity in areas hosting higher learning institutions.
Speaking in Iringa Region during the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the construction of buildings at Mkwawa University College of Education (MUCE), Sekiboko said the investment would improve access to higher education while generating benefits for communities surrounding the institutions.
She also praised the government for its continued recruitment of teachers and plans to introduce internship programmes for newly qualified teachers. She said the initiative would help graduates strengthen their practical skills and prepare adequately before assuming their teaching responsibilities.
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Sekiboko stressed the importance of strengthening collaboration between universities, employers, industries and other productive sectors to ensure that academic programmes align with labour market demands.
She said such partnerships would enable graduates to apply their skills effectively, either by securing employment or establishing their own businesses.
The committee chairperson further urged higher education institutions to continue working with relevant stakeholders to create an enabling environment for graduates to access employment opportunities and contribute to national development.