Kimmo Kuortti (OAMK, Finland) discussing competence-based methodologies with Tanzanian teachers. Photo: Iiris Happo
EfVET members from Finland and Estonia are finishing Capacity Building project with partners from Kilimanjaro area, Tanzania, that have given valuable experiences and supported the growth of VET in both sides.
Capacity building does not only help to develop VET in the “receiving” side outside Erasmus+ area. All sides benefit a lot.
For the Estonian partner Kuressaare Ametikool it was the first encounter with VET providers in Africa.
Dealing with visas, vaccines, cultural differences – it was all new. Finnish partners OSAO, OAMK and Luovi had extensive experience working with countries outside the EU from earlier. For most of the Tanzanian partners, managing the EU environment of platforms, visas and travel was a real challenge.
Two years of project time might seem a lot to learn about each other. With significant differences between continents and countries it is not so easy. Less-than-a-week long visits give only a glimpse of the real situation.
Communication between partners is vital for the success of the project. What Tanzanians lacked in digital skills (at least in the beginning), they made up with never-ending politeness and humility and eagerness to learn.
What would we do differently next time: start with simple things. Gather more background information while building the project. One example: entrepreneurship education was one of the work packages in the project. As European partners we assumed that Tanzanian do not do much on this field. Actually, they do a lot, students must go through national exams etc. Just it is too theoretical compared to us.
Other work packages in the project concentrated on teaching methodologies, digital skills and working with students with special needs.
All the project outputs are available from the website capacitytanzania.eu.
Taavi Tuisk
Kuressaare Ametikool, Estonia
