Implementing ICT policy for education in Tanzania

EDUCARTION is the key sector for development as it plays an important role in poverty reduction and has a strong influence on the society for being the main public employer. The country’s national policy is the starting point for an in-depth focus on education in Tanzania. A consistent ICT policy and its implementation strategy for the education sector in the country could build the sector’s performance if the government and the stakeholders are determined to take as keen interest. In order to support the National ICT policy in the country, the Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) has been in the forefront working in collaboration with some international bodies such as SIDA, IICD and UNESCO with an overview of the potentials of applying ICTs in the education sector in the country. The three international organizations have dedicated to implement the process of National ICT policy and have put forward various initiatives which outlines among other things, the application of ICT by deploying and developing a countrywide e-education system. Rural ICT access initiatives is a collaborative effort being undertaken by COSTECH in support of IICD attempting to bring to the community an affordable ICT based technologies for good governance and transparency for typical rural villages.

Teachers inside a computer lab for a training session at Kasulu Teacher’s Training College in Kasulu district, Kigoma region.

COSTECH being a part of the national task force, has been spearheading ICT capacity building which included training of specialized groups and assisting a number of national institutions in establishing computer mediated communication. The project includes training if trainers and installation of equipment and internet connection. Besides ICT for education policy process, the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training is developing and implementing programs for the primary, secondary and teachers’ training education in which the advantages of ICTs are carefully considered compared to the costs expressed in time and finance. As part of its strategic plan to introduce ICT in the education system in Tanzania, there is a showcase ICT project owned by the Ministry of Education in partnership with the Swedish International Agency (SIDA). Potentially the opportunities are very attractive in terms of communication, improved teachers’ training and increased reach of education. The decision to expand the use of ICT to government teachers’ colleges in the country has a positive impact by improving communications, providing opportunities for professional development and facilitating the application of ICT in teaching and learning careers. More than 1,000 tutors have received training in various computer application programs which are offered by donor agencies in various Teachers’ training colleges in the country since 2003 when such training programs were first initiated. It’s very pleasing to note that, the climate of change is cutting up with all stakeholders of education in Tanzania, is that tutors or a teacher is taken as a facilitator and a trainee as a participant in learning. The emphasis now is on the learner who tries all the time to construct own meaning out of what is being taught. With the growth and expansion of Information and communication technology, there is now a consistent search for information by both tutors and trainers and this is revolutionalizing teachers’ education where everyone is seeking more and up to date information.