ISSN (Online): 2321-3418
server-injected
Economics and Management
Open Access

Challenges Facing Training Organisations in Facilitating Short Course Programmes in Tanzania: A Case of Tanzania Public Service College (TPSC)

,
DOI: 10.18535/ijsrm/v14i01.em17· Pages: 10371-10382· Vol. 14, No. 01, (2026)· Published: January 29, 2026
PDF
Views: 814 PDF downloads: 469

Abstract

Training organisations in Tanzania face significant challenges in facilitating short course programmes. Limited studies have concentrated on unveiling these challenges. This study, therefore, aims to reveal these challenges by assessing the challenges facing training organisations in facilitating short course programmes in Tanzania, focusing on Tanzania Public Service College (TPSC). The research employed a mixed-methods design, combining quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis. The study population comprised TPSC staff with a sample size of 41 respondents selected using purposive and stratified sampling techniques. Data were gathered through structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews with key informants. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics via SPSS, while qualitative data underwent content analysis. The study revealed several key challenges, such as difficulty attracting sufficient participants, struggling to update course content to meet changing needs, lacking modern training facilities and equipment, and insufficient time to cover all necessary topics effectively. Furthermore, the study found inadequate funding for hiring skilled trainers and acquiring teaching materials, misalignment between course content and job market demands, and low awareness of short course programmes among potential participants. The study recommends that TPSC should develop strategies to attract more participants to short course programmes, regularly update course content to align with rapidly changing public service needs, invest in modern training facilities and equipment, review teaching hours to ensure sufficient time for comprehensive topic coverage, and finally enhance collaboration with employers to ensure course relevance and increase registration.

Keywords

Training OrganisationShort Course ProgrammesTanzania Public Service CollegeTanzania

References

  1. Bakuwa, T. C., Pilusa, S., & Saloojee, G. (2020). The value of a short practical training course for newly qualified therapists working with children with cerebral palsy in South Africa. African Journal of Disability, 9. https://doi.org/10.4102/ajod.v9i0.610DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  2. Barney, J. B. (1991). Firm Resources and Sustained Competitive Advantage. Journal of Management, 17(1), 99–120.Google Scholar ↗
  3. Bhakuni, S., & Saxena, S. (2023). Exploring the link between training and development, employee engagement and employee retention. Journal of Business and Management Studies, 5(1), 173-180. https://doi.org/10.32996/jbms.2023.5.1.17DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  4. Bušljeta Kardum, R., Jurić Vukelić, D., & Brajković, L. (2023). Effects of a short course training program on approaches to teaching in higher education: example from Croatia. Problems of Education in the 21st Century, 81(5), 572-585. https://doi.org/10.33225/pec/23.81.572DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  5. Burkinshaw, P., Bryant, L. D., Magee, C., Thompson, P., Cotterill, L. A., Mulvey, M. R., & Hewison, J. (2022). Ten years of NIHR research training: perceptions of the programmes: a qualitative interview study. BMJ Open, 12(1), e046410. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046410DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  6. Carvalho, M., Serrão, R., Azevedo, H., Cruz, J., Alves, D., Martins, C., … & Ramalho, S. (2024). School psychologists’ training to support inclusive education in Portugal: trainers’ perspectives of opportunities, challenges, and improvements. School Psychology International, 45(6), 593-615. https://doi.org/10.1177/01430343241236487DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  7. Coşkun, H. C. (2023). Reflection of the iceberg: key issues and challenges of education in Balochistan. Culture, Education, and Future, 1(1), 47-65. https://doi.org/10.70116/298027413DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  8. Crouch, G., Winter, K., Quinn, K., Helmer, S., & McBoyle, M. (2023). Short and long-term success of a surgery residency prep course. Kansas Journal of Medicine, 16(3), 321-323. https://doi.org/10.17161/kjm.vol16.20090DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  9. Dohle, N. J., Machner, M., & Buchmann, M. (2021). Peer teaching under pandemic conditions – options and challenges of online tutorials on practical skills. GMS Journal for Medical Education; 38(1):Doc7. https://doi.org/10.3205/zma001403DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  10. Fateye, B., Osuolale, O., & Omotoriogun, T. (2022). Culturally and contextually adapted co-teaching: a case study of collaboration with the diaspora in undergraduate STEM education. Diaspora, Indigenous and Minority Education, 18, 23-36.Google Scholar ↗
  11. Gifford, A., Wilmshurst, J. M., O’Callaghan, F., Griffiths, M., Dunkley, C., Rodie, P., … & Kirkpatrick, M. (2019). G277(p) worldwide short course education programmes in epilepsy for paediatricians – are they effective?. International Child Health Group. https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2019-rcpch.269DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  12. Golian, B. A., Radford, D., & Louca, C. (2024). The knowledge, facilitators, and barriers of providing botulinum toxin and dermal filler treatments in UK dental practice. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4118885/v1DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  13. Hunter, J. G., Mattson, C., & Magleby, S. (2019). Benefits of a Short-Term Engineering Study Abroad: A Survey of Students Over the Past 15 Years. Volume 3: 21st International Conference on Advanced Vehicle Technologies; 16th International Conference on Design Education.Google Scholar ↗
  14. Jjingo, D., Mboowa, G., Sserwadda, I., Kakaire, R., Kiberu, D., Amujal, M., … & Whalen, C. C. (2021). Bioinformatics mentorship in a resource-limited setting. Briefings in Bioinformatics, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1093/bib/bbab399DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  15. Kibet, C. K., Entfellner, J. D., Jjingo, D., de Villiers, E. P., de Villiers, S., Wambui, K., … & Masiga, D. (2024). Designing and delivering bioinformatics project-based learning in East Africa. BMC Bioinformatics, 25(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12859-024-05680-2DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  16. Kredo, T., Cooper, S., Abrams, A., Muller, J., Schmidt, B., Volmink, J., … & Atkins, S. (2020). ‘Building on shaky ground’—challenges to and solutions for primary care guideline implementation in four provinces in South Africa: a qualitative study. BMJ Open, 10(5), e031468. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031468DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  17. Kostopoulos, K. P. and Karalis, T. (2021). Motivation and barriers of unemployed people regarding their participation in lifelong learning programs: a case study in a prefecture of Greece. European Journal of Alternative Education Studies, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.46827/ejae.v6i1.3568DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  18. Madan, S., Baker, A., Maredia, M. K., & Bates, R. D. (2021). Agricultural extension capacity development in developing countries: an international training course at Michigan State University. Development in Practice, 32(3), 394-401. https://doi.org/10.1080/09614524.2021.1958165DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  19. Mabula, P. S., Sawe, H., Mwafongo, V., Mfinanga, J. A., Runyon, M., & Murray, B. (2019). Impact of short basic emergency medicine training in introducing emergency medicine as a speciality in Sub-Saharan Africa: experience from Tanzania. International Journal of Emergency Medicine, 12.Google Scholar ↗
  20. Main, S., Lestari, T., Triasih, R., Chan, G., Davidson, L., Majumdar, S. S., … & Ralph, A. P. (2019). Training for tuberculosis elimination in Indonesia: achievements, reflections, and potential for impact. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, 4(3), 107. https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed4030107DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  21. Matimbwa, H., & Masue, O. (2019). Usage and Challenges of Human Resources Information System in the Tanzanian Public Organizations. Business.Google Scholar ↗
  22. Mink, D. V., Ridout, S. R., Murray, G. J., Camahalan, F. M. G., & Petty, C. (2022). Service-learning in the clinical experience of alternative certification teacher candidates. Research Anthology on Service Learning and Community Engagement Teaching Practices, 243-261. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-6684-3877-0.ch014DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  23. Mohamed, Y., Hezeri, P., Kama, H., Mills, K., Walker, S., Hau’ofa, N., … & Lin, Y. D. (2023). Evaluation of an online training program on COVID-19 for health workers in Papua New Guinea. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, 8(6), 327. https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed8060327DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  24. Moore, C. A., Ross, D. W., Pivert, K., Lang, V. J., Sozio, S. M., & O’Neill, W. C. (2022). Point-of-care ultrasound training during nephrology fellowship. Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 17(10), 1487-1494. https://doi.org/10.2215/cjn.01850222DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  25. Munneke, W., Demoulin, C., Nijs, J., Morin, C., Kool, E., Berquin, A., … & De Kooning, M. (2024). Development of an interdisciplinary training program about chronic pain management with a cognitive behavioural approach for healthcare professionals: part of a hybrid effectiveness-implementation study. BMC Medical Education, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-05308-2DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  26. Naderi, H., Yang, Y., Munroe, P. B., Petersen, S. E., Westwood, M., & Aung, N. (2024). Health data science course for clinicians: time to bridge the skills gap?. Perfusion. https://doi.org/10.1177/02676591241291946DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  27. Nilofar Pervez, Waqas Mahmood, Muzammila Akram, & Mohammad Waqas (2024). Analyzing the alignment between university curriculum and job market requirements in Pakistan: challenges and opportunities. Indus Journal of Social Sciences, 2(2), 397-410. https://doi.org/10.59075/ijss.v2i2.269DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  28. Robbins, S. M., Daulton, C. R., Hurlé, B., & Easter, C. (2021). The NHGRI short course in genomics: energizing genetics and genomics education in classrooms through direct engagement between educators and scientists. Genetics in Medicine, 23(1), 222-229. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41436-020-00962-5DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  29. Shaulov, A., Finkelstein, A., Vashdi, I., Ganz, F. D., Woloski-Wruble, A. C., Rubinstein, E., … & Shaham, D. (2023). Interprofessional palliative and end-of-life education: short-term and long-term outcomes – mixed-methods analysis. BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, spcare-2023-004290. https://doi.org/10.1136/spcare-2023-004290DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  30. Shibiti, R. and Mulaudzi, M. C. (2024). Exploring barriers to measuring ROI for training and development interventions. International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), 13(2), 163-173. https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v13i2.3200DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  31. Shojaei, A., Ly, R., Rokooei, S., Mahdavian, A., & Al-Bayati, A. (2023). Virtual site visits in Construction Management education: A practical alternative to physical site visits. ITcon, 28, 692-710. https://doi.org/10.36680/j.itcon.2023.036DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  32. Sorensen, J., Michaëlis, C., Olsen, J., Krasnik, A., Bozorgmehr, K., & Ziegler, S. (2023). Diversity competence training for health professionals in Europe: a modified Delphi study investigating relevant content for short or online courses. BMC Medical Education, 23.Google Scholar ↗
  33. Upadhyay, K., Goel, S., & John, P. (2023). Developing a capacity-building training model for public health managers of low and middle-income countries. PLOS ONE, 18(4), e0272793. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0272793DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  34. Varghese, C., Nongkynrih, B., Kumar, S., Krakauer, E.L., Paleri, A., Viswanathan, V., Khongsit, A., Chandra, A., Gunawardena, N., Dancante, A.M., Allègre, A., Piroux, C., Utunen, H., & Mikkelsen, B. (2024). "OpenWHO" SEARO NCD PEN-HEARTS Courses: Training 10,000 Health Care Providers in 100 Countries in 100 Days. WHO South-East Asia Journal of Public Health, 13(1), 24-28.Google Scholar ↗
  35. Venia Oktafiani (2023). Hambatan pelaksanaan program directly observed treatment short-course (DOTS) di negara berkembang: sebuah tinjauan sistematik. Jurnal Sains Dan Kesehatan, 2(1), 23-31. https://doi.org/10.57151/jurnalsainsdankesehatan.v2i1.161DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  36. Wernerfelt, B. (1984). A Resource-Based View of the Firm. Strategic Management Journal, 5(2), 171.Google Scholar ↗
  37. Williams, J. J., Tractenberg, R. E., Batut, B., Becker, E. A., Brown, A. M., Burke, M. L., … & Woodley, L. (2023). An international consensus on effective, inclusive, and career-spanning short-format training in the life sciences and beyond. PLOS ONE, 18(11), e0293879. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0293879DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  38. Yandi, A. (2022). Literature review analysis of the effect of leadership, organizational culture, and work environment on employee productivity. International Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary, 1(1), 12-24. https://doi.org/10.38035/ijam.v1i1.7DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  39. Yamani, H. A. and Elsigini, W. T. (2024). Return on investment for developing electronic courses at Umm Al-Qura University: a case study. International Journal of Advanced and Applied Sciences, 11(2), 107-117. https://doi.org/10.21833/ijaas.2024.02.013DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  40. Zibaghafa, S. and Okpolosa, M. (2024). International public sector accounting standards adoption and challenges of implementation in Nigeria. European Journal of Accounting, Auditing and Finance Research, 12(1), 108-125. https://doi.org/10.37745/ejaafr.2013/vol12n1108125DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
Author details
Richard Sikira
Institute of Accountancy Arusha
✉ Corresponding Author
👤 View Profile →
Brighton Bussein
Tanzania Public Service College
👤 View Profile →