TCU defends the new introduced minimum admission entry qualification

The commission said the new minimum qualification meets international standards and seeks to promote an equitable professional supply chain. TCU Acting Executive Secretary Kokuberwa Mollel downplayed the widespread rumours that the new entry requirements would lower the quality of education.

Addressing reporters in Dar es Salaam on the forthcoming 11th Exhibitions on Higher Education, Science and Technology, Dr Mollel said the commission had conducted a thorough appraisal of the requirements before advising the Minister for Education, Science, Technology and Vocational Training Professor Joyce Ndalichako on the matter.

“The new minimum requirement is centered on the dwindling quality of education. We conducted a research that involved education experts who later proposed the new minimum entry requirements as the best practice,” Dr Mollel explained.

TCU has published new procedures, requirements and minimum admission entry qualifications for undergraduate students, making total four points as the minimum entry qualification to higher learning institution by form six applicants.

Under the new guidelines, TCU has admitted misconception of the two Ds as the minimum admission qualification for form six applicants who completed their Advanced level studies before 2014.

According to the commission, any student, with total points ranging from four in two of their study subjects at A-level qualifies for admission into higher leaning institutions. “This can be A+E, B+E, C+E or D+D...these are just minimum entry qualifications for undergraduate studies,” Dr Mahundu Fabian, TCU Admission Officer told ‘Daily News’.

He noted that before the 2000s when Tanzania had fewer institutions with limited posts for A-level graduates seeking to further their academic pursuit, the entry requirements stood at 4.5 points for arts subjects and 2.5 points for science subjects.

However, the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) has since maintained the five points as minimum entry requirements for undergraduate studies. But, all universities across the country approved two principal passes as minimum entry requirements. According to the commission, D is the principal pass.

The officer said the new requirement was first introduced in 2011 but later employers and members of the public raised alarm, questioning the quality of graduates likely to come out. The system also resulted into serious shortage of students for mid career professions, with more institutions offering certificate and diploma courses lacking students as most of them qualified for degree courses.