FOUR newly established regions will get colleges under the auspices of the Vocational Education Training Authority (VETA), the government has assured.

The Minister for Education and Vocational Training, Dr Shukuru Kawambwa gave the assurance when thanking a South Korean delegation for their support in the education sector.

He said that the government is currently seeking funds to construct vocational colleges in Geita, Simiyu, Katavi and Njombe.

He told the delegation that despite the fact South Korea gave Tanzania 18 million US dollars in aid in 2005 for construction of vocational colleges, the country is still facing some challenges in education and vocational training colleges.

Dr Kawambwa also stressed that the government plans to build a vocational training centre in each of 139 districts in the country, with the aim of increasing opportunities for many young people and the general public.

Currently, the overall vocational training capacity meets only eight per cent of the required training whereas at least 700,000 students who finish standard seven and ordinary level education annually need to be enrolled.

Deputy Speaker of the South Korea National Assembly, Mr Park Byeong-Seug, assured the state of continued support in building capacity of VETA instructors in the country. Mr Seug, who led a delegation of eight members of the parliament in South Korea in the country, said the cordial relations between Tanzania and Korea have been strengthened for 21 years.