Provision of Vocational Skills Education to Orphans: Lessons from Orphanage Centres in Dar es Salaam City, Tanzania

Abstract

This paper utilises data from a study that investigated the efficacy of vocational skills training provided to orphans from three orphanages in Temeke District, Dar es Salaam. The three orphanage centres that were studied are Kurasini National Children Home, Saudia and Don Bosco Vocational Centre. The sample comprised of 45 orphans, an official from the Department of Social Welfare in Temeke District, and two officials from the orphanage centres. Data were collected through interviews, documentary reviews and observations. The type of actors involved in providing vocational skills training to orphans, type of vocational skills training provided and the effectiveness of vocational skills training were explored. Vocational skills training that are offered at the orphanages centres are tailoring, carpentry, masonry, driving, welding and fine and performing arts. However, despite the fact that many orphans in the selected orphanages had attended the vocational skills training, it was revealed that the knowledge acquired was of no immediate use. Most of the orphans could not use the acquired skills to assess jobs or to self employ themselves.  The major bottlenecks that tend to affect the quality of vocational skills offered are: limited capacities of the orphanage centres in terms of qualified personnel, inadequate equipment and funds. The little funds available seem to compete with other day to day priorities of managing the centres for example, providing food, medicals and the like.

Keywords: Vulnerable Children, Orphanage, Vocational Skills