Local Government Training Institute

The Local Government Training Institute (LGTI), located in Hombolo, Dodoma, holds a truly unique and outstanding position in Tanzania's higher education landscape. Its distinctiveness stems from its exclusive mandate, historical role, and specialized focus on strengthening local governance and public service delivery.

What Makes Local Government Training Institute (LGTI) Truly Unique?

1. Sole Mandate for Local Government Capacity Building: LGTI is the only public institute in Tanzania specifically mandated by an Act of Parliament (No. 26 of 1994, Cap 396 Revised in 2002) to strengthen the administration of Local Government Authorities (LGAs). This makes it the primary national institution for training, research, advisory, and consultancy services in local government finance, administration, and management. This exclusive focus means LGTI is deeply embedded in the governance structure of Tanzania.

2. "Lead Training Institution" (LTI) for LGAs: In 2009, the Prime Minister's Office - Regional Administration and Local Government (PMO-RALG) officially appointed LGTI as the Lead Training Institution (LTI) for Local Government Authorities. This delegation of functions means LGTI plays a central role in:

   • Coordinating training programs, providers, and resources for LGAs nationwide.
   • Assuring the quality of LGA training and training providers.
   • Revising and developing curricula and training materials for standardized courses.
   • Organizing Training of Trainers (TOT) for LGA training providers. This significant national responsibility makes LGTI an unparalleled institution in its niche.

3. Practical-Oriented and Demand-Driven Approach: LGTI prides itself on being a "practical-oriented professional center focusing on demand driven training." Its programs and services are designed to directly address the real-world needs and challenges faced by local government authorities. This ensures that its graduates and the training it provides are highly relevant and immediately applicable to improving public service delivery at the local level.

4. Comprehensive Offerings for Public Sector Professionals: While specialized, LGTI offers a wide range of academic programs and short courses that cover various aspects of public sector management:

   • From Basic Technician Certificates to Bachelor's Degrees (and potentially higher levels), providing career progression paths for local government staff.
   • Focus on core areas like Local Government Administration, Accounting and Finance, Human Resource Management, Community Development, Procurement and Supply Management, and Records and Information Management.
   • Extensive short courses tailored to current capacity gaps in LGAs.

5. Historical Evolution and National Importance: LGTI's history traces back to premises used by Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) for training political cadres. Upon the shift to multi-party democracy in the early 1990s, these premises were transferred to the Central Government and transformed into public learning institutions. This background gives LGTI a unique historical link to Tanzania's political and administrative evolution. Its continuous empowerment by the government, including offering long-term tertiary programs from 2007, underscores its national importance.

Programmes Offered

LGTI offers programs at various levels, from Basic Technician Certificates to Bachelor's Degrees. These programs are designed to meet the demands of local government authorities and other public and private sector entities.

Certificate Level (NTA Level 4):

• Basic Technician Certificate in Local Government Administration
• Basic Technician Certificate in Local Government Accounting and Finance
• Basic Technician Certificate in Community Development
• Basic Technician Certificate in Human Resource Management
• Basic Technician Certificate in Procurement and Supplies Management
• Basic Technician Certificate in Records, Archives and Information Management

Diploma Level (NTA Level 5 & 6):

• Technician Certificate in Local Government Administration (NTA Level 5)
• Ordinary Diploma in Local Government Administration (NTA Level 6)
• Technician Certificate in Local Government Accounting and Finance (NTA Level 5)
• Ordinary Diploma in Local Government Accounting and Finance (NTA Level 6)
• Technician Certificate in Community Development (NTA Level 5)
• Ordinary Diploma in Community Development (NTA Level 6)
• Technician Certificate in Human Resource Management (NTA Level 5)
• Ordinary Diploma in Human Resource Management (NTA Level 6)
• Technician Certificate in Procurement and Supplies Management (NTA Level 5)
• Ordinary Diploma in Procurement and Supplies Management (NTA Level 6)
• Technician Certificate in Records, Archives and Information Management (NTA Level 5)
• Ordinary Diploma in Records, Archives and Information Management (NTA Level 6)

Bachelor's Degree Level (NTA Level 7 & 8):

• Bachelor of Local Government Administration and Management
• Bachelor of Human Resource Management
• Bachelor of Community Development
• Bachelor of Accounting and Finance

Short Courses: LGTI also offers a wide range of demand-driven short courses tailored for public and private servants to enhance skills and productivity. These are often based on specific training needs assessments.

Official Website Link

The official website for the Local Government Training Institute (LGTI) is: https://www.lgti.ac.tz/

Online Application Link

The online application system for LGTI is typically managed through their Student Information System (SIS) or Online Application System (OAS).

You can usually access the application portal via links on their official website, often under an "Admissions" or "Apply Now" section. For current applications, you would look for a login or registration link, which is often found at: https://sis.lgti.ac.tz/ or https://oas.lgti.ac.tz/

FAQs

Q1: What are the general admission requirements for LGTI? A1: Admission requirements vary by program and level.

• Basic Technician Certificate (NTA Level 4): Generally, an Ordinary Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (CSEE) or its equivalent with at least four (4) passes (excluding religious subjects). For Local Government Accounting and Finance, one of the passes should be Mathematics.
• Technician Certificate (NTA Level 5): Usually requires a relevant NTA Level 4 pass or an Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (ACSEE) with at least one principal pass and one subsidiary pass.
• Ordinary Diploma (NTA Level 6): Typically requires a relevant NTA Level 4 or NTA Level 5 pass, or ACSEE with at least one principal pass and one subsidiary pass.
• Bachelor's Degree (NTA Level 7 & 8): Requires a relevant Ordinary Diploma (NTA Level 6) with a good pass, or relevant ACSEE qualifications.
• It's crucial to always check the specific program's admission requirements on the LGTI official website or the latest NACTVET/TCU admissions guide.

Q2: Does LGTI offer accommodation for students? A2: Yes, LGTI provides hostel accommodation for both male and female students at its campuses. Details on hostel fees and requirements are usually provided in the joining instructions.

Q3: Where are LGTI's campuses located? A3: The main campus of LGTI is located at Hombolo ward, about 27km from Ihumwa Junction on the Dodoma-Morogoro highway, in Dodoma. LGTI also has a Shinyanga Campus at Miti Mirefu Street – Boma Road.

Q4: Is LGTI a public or private institution? A4: LGTI is a public institution, established and owned by the Government of Tanzania.

Q5: What are the fees for programs at LGTI? A5: Fees vary by program level. As an example, for the academic year 2024/2025:

• Basic Technician Certificate (NTA Level 4) Tuition Fee: 865,000/= TZS annually.
• Technician Certificate (NTA Level 5) Tuition Fee: 965,000/= TZS annually.
• Ordinary Diploma (NTA Level 6) Tuition Fee: 975,000/= TZS annually.
• Bachelor's Degree (NTA Level 7 & 8) Tuition Fee: 1,034,600/= TZS annually. Additional charges include registration, NACTVET quality assurance fee, NHIF (health insurance), and students' union fees. Hostel fees are separate (e.g., 300,000/= TZS annually for hostel). It's essential to refer to the official "Fee Structure" document on the LGTI website for the most current and detailed information.

Q6: What kind of research and consultancy services does LGTI provide? A6: LGTI conducts demand-driven research that aims to solve problems related to local government administration, finance, and management. It also provides advisory and consultancy services to LGAs, government entities, and the public, leveraging its expertise in local governance.

Q7: How does LGTI ensure the quality of its programs? A7: As the Lead Training Institution (LTI) for LGAs, LGTI is responsible for coordinating and assuring the quality of LGA training across the country. Its programs comply with NACTVET and TCU standards, and it actively revises and develops curricula to meet job market requirements.