Industrialising Adult Education Programmes in Tanzania: Policy Rhetoric, Infrastructural Realities, and Alternative Pathways

This study examines the challenges of industrialising adult education in Tanzania. It also raises the question of whether the industrialisation agenda is compatible with the current contextual realities . Thematic analysis of 30 in-depth interviews revealed five themes: policy versus infrastructure gap for digitalisation; tensions between skills for employment versus learning for empowerment; structural and systemic barriers; socio-cultural barriers; and effectiveness of low-tech community-based alternatives. The findings indicate that current efforts to industrialise are largely ineffective due to ongoing underfunding, digital exclusion, and institutional marginalisation. However, a policy-practice gap persists. While policy documents prioritise digital literacy, many adult education centres lack basic infrastructure such as computers, internet connectivity, and even electricity. The study concludes that community-integrated models may be more feasible alternatives to industrialisation in the current context. The study therefore calls for a rethinking of the industrialisation framework, cross-sectoral policy coordination, funding of basic infrastructure, and scaling of proven low-tech models.