The focus is to ensure at least 75 percent of TCs, TVET and Universities use the national research and innovations center by June 2027, whereby at least 20 startups that focuses on Edtech established by June 2030
DODOMA. THE government, through the ministry of education science and technology is considering to establish a special factory for assembling and manufacturing of affordable digital devices for facilitating cloud- connected training and learning (T&L) system in local education delivery by 2027.
In more vision aims to digitize the education system in Tanzania, as well as boosting research, innovations and entrepreneurship, the government plans to introduce digital innovation (Edtech) hubs in schools, Teacher’s Colleges (TCs), Vocational Education Training (TVET) and universities.
The key plans was availed by Dr. Alcardo Barakabitze during his presentation at the Dissemination Workshop for the National Digital Education Strategy and its implementation guidelines.
In his presentation, titled “National Digital Education Strategy,” Dr. Barakabitze expressed that by 2027, the government set to open Edtech research and innovations centers in education and training facilities.
“The focus is to ensure at least 75 percent of TCs, TVET and Universities use the national research and innovations center by June 2027, whereby at least 20 startups that focuses on Edtech established by June 2030,” he informed.
Concerning emerging technologies, Dr. Barakabitze noted that the vision is to ensure artificial intelligence (AI), VR/AR and gaming are interested into curriculum and instructional practices in schools, TCs, TVETs and Universities by June 2030, to start with a pilot of pylons machines in vocational schools.
“The target is to have at least 60 percent of TCs, TVETs, and Universities use emerging technologies by June 2030, while 70pc of the training facilities use locally developed emerging technologies,” he insisted.
Giving further strategic plans, he said on the side of Data Management and Analytics, a centralized digital (EMIS) for sharing education data across all levels of education developed and operationalized by June 2027.
“The ministry of education want learning analytics into teaching and learning practices applied across all levels of education to improve learning outcomes,” he added.
He further observed, as Tanzania aspires to become a knowledge- based , digitally enabled and competitive as articulated in the National Development Vision 2050 (DIRA 2050), a need for an education system that produces digitally skilled, innovative, and adaptable citizens is paramount.
“Guidelines for the implementation of the National Digital Education Strategy has been developed to provide a structured pathway to align education with digital transformation, industrialization, and human capital development, ensuring cleaners are prepared for jobs and societal needs in a technology – driven world,” Dr. Barakabitze stated.
As part of preparedness ahead of the strategy, he said the government has worked to install the National Fibre Optic Cable Network, named as National ICT Broadband Backbone
(NICTBB), being a strategic vehicles to enhance use of ICT in teaching and learning. He unveiled that at least 26 TCs are now connected to NICTBB.
Other works that have been finalized with an eye to create key platform for the Strategy’s implementation, he said includes sting- up of the National Internet Data Centre (NIDC) for all, eGA Data Centre for government institutions and eGA portal for various systems of public learning institutions service delivery.
Prof. Carolyne Nombo
According to the Deputy Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Carolyne Nombo insisted over the need for education institutions nationwide to adopt artificial intelligence (AI), digital technology, and data science to enhance their performance.
Prof. Nombo stressed that the use of cloud-connected systems, including AI, will enable Tanzania’s education sector to improve teaching and learning processes, research, and assessments.
“Digital transformation is no longer optional but a necessary requirement, as outlined in the National Development Vision 2050 (VISION 2050),” she emphasized.
Among others, development of the National Digital Education Strategy and it’s guidelines targets to improve learning outcomes through digital technology.
It more plans to enhance access to quality teaching, learning and administration in educational institutions using ICT, thereby enabling every leaner to be skilled in ICT and contribute significantly towards national development.
In the other objectives, the target is to provide a framework for governance, management and coordination of digital technologies initiatives in education and training.
Enhancing competence-based curriculum development, implementation, assessment and quality assurance through ICT in education and training stands among the vital objectives.
According to Dr. Barakabitze, the guiding principles of the guidelines for the implementation of the National Digital Education Strategy reflects eight key areas, which are equity and inclusion, quality and relevance, transparency and accountability, collaboration, diversity, professionalism, research and innovation, as well as sustainability.
Moreover, developed of the crucial guidelines also considered numerous local and international policies and frameworks.
These include Tanzania Development Vision (DIRA) 2050, Education and Training Policy 2014 (2023 edition), Five-Year Development Plan III (2021/22–2025/26), Education Sector Development Programme (2025/26–2029/30), National ICT Policy (2016), African Union Agenda 2063 – The Africa We Want, Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030, and UNESCO Guidelines for ICT in Education Policies and Master Plans (2023).
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