AKF continues to support innovative education initiatives in Tanzania

Dar es Salaam. The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) Tanzania is committed to fostering innovative education-centered initiatives aimed at enhancing teaching and learning in primary and secondary schools across the country.

 The foundation actively seeks, connects, and funds promising educational projects, and shares successful designs with stakeholders for wider adoption.

Speaking at a recent exhibition showcasing these innovative approaches, AKF's National Coordinator for the "School 2030" project, Shaibu Mandova, highlighted the project's impact, reaching over 160 primary and secondary schools in Dar es Salaam, Lindi, and Zanzibar.

"The project aims to identify and support innovative teaching methods and facilitate their dissemination to other schools," explained Mandova. "AKF is committed to providing ongoing support and connecting these initiatives with relevant stakeholders to ensure their widespread adoption."

Since the project's inception in 2020, several successful initiatives have emerged. These include the establishment of mathematics laboratories, the introduction of computers, and the creation of learning villages. AKF has provided funding for the implementation of these projects, empowering schools to adopt innovative approaches.

One notable example is the "learning through package visibility" initiative developed by Toangoma Primary School. This approach utilizes specially designed t-shirts with letters and numbers, along with a wash and hygiene desk, to enhance learning and promote hygiene practices among students.

Another innovative method, introduced by Chamanzi Primary School, focuses on providing practical training for students with disabilities and their peers, fostering interaction and reducing discrimination at an early stage.

These initiatives were showcased at the exhibition, attracting teachers from various levels of education and sector stakeholders from Zanzibar and Mainland Tanzania. Participants commended the innovative teaching methods and expressed their intention to replicate them in their respective schools.

"We were impressed by the presentations and are committed to adopting these innovative approaches in Zanzibar," stated Asia Hassan Mussa, a representative from the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training in Zanzibar.

Similarly, Flora Mgonja, the Chief Administrative Officer of Ilala District, called for the expansion of AKF's reach to include more schools across the country. "We have witnessed the positive impact of these initiatives and believe they should be accessible to a wider range of schools," Mgonja stated, representing the district's leadership.

According to presentations given by teachers, the innovative teaching methods have led to significant improvements in school attendance, hygiene practices, reading, writing, and counting, with an average increase of over 50 percent since 2020.