ARU initiative boosts ICT literacy in Tanzania's schools
The Ardhi University management team poses with 80 teachers from various primary schools at the conclusion of training designed to enhance ICT literacy across Tanzanian schools. PHOTO | COURTESY
The outreach targeted five government primary schools close to the university, namely Makongo, Msewe, Mugabe, Mapambano, and Buguruni School for the Deaf.
Dar es Salaam. Ardhi Uni-versity (ARU), through the VLIR-UOS project (Sub-pro-ject 7) on information and communication technology (ICT) and smart, sustaina ble and inclusive cities, has donated 55 computers and trained 80 primary and secondary school teachers to strengthen ICT literacy in Tanzania's education system.
The outreach targeted five government primary schools close to the university, namely Makongo, Msewe, Mugabe, Mapambano, and Buguruni School for the Deaf.
Vlirous project sub-project 7-ICT and inclusive sustainable cities at ARU, focuses on "ICT and Smart, Sustainable, and Inclusive Cities" to build innovation capacity in urban development.
The five-year Institutional University Cooperation (IUC) project, implemented in partnership with a Belgian higher learning institution, integrates research, education, and outreach activities, emphasising digital skills, cybersecurity, and responsive solutions to social and environmental challenges.
The initiative aimed to bridge ICT literacy gaps among teachers while equipping selected schools with computers as part of efforts to strengthen ICT integration at the primary level.
As part of the programme, academic staff and final-year students from ARU's Department of Computer Systems and Mathematics (CSM) conducted a four-day basic ICT training for 80 teachers.
The university maintains that advancing practical education through technology will benefit a wider community of pupils nationwide.
The programme concluded with a ceremony at which 55 computers were officially handed over to the five schools, alongside the awarding of certificates to participating teachers.
ARU Vice Chancellor Prof Evaristo Liwa praised the initiative, saying it underscored inclusivity and the principle of leaving no one behind, and added that the project supports the government's new education and training policy.
"It motivates both teachers and pupils to embrace ICT as a catalyst for transformation in education," he said.
Makongo Primary School headteacher, Ms Madgelena Nachunga, thanked ARU and the VLIR-UOS project.
"This initiative will support the new curriculum, which prioritises computer literacy and ICT use in schools," she said, representing fellow teachers who attended the training and schools that received computers.
Ms Nachunga further noted that the computers would also ease daily administrative work, such as exam management and pupil record-keeping.
Buguruni School for the Deaf's second master, Mr Chris Kweka, said the computers would particularly benefit pupils with hearing impairments, who depend on visual rather than auditory learning.
"These tools will simplify teaching and make lessons more effective compared to the current situation," said Mr Kweka during the event.
