THE government has developed a national digital education strategy to enable the integration of information and communication technology (ICT) in all levels of education.

Prof Caroline Nombo, the Education, Science and Technology permanent secretary, said at the opening of a two-day stakeholders’ meeting in Dar es Salaam yesterday that the policy is key to cultivating a well- educated society, equipped with competent skills.

The strategy is currently in a draft form, with views being collected from key stakeholders, to create a sufficient guide for all levels of education while involving communities, investors, implementers, other partners and beneficiaries in the sector, she said.

At the stakeholders’ meeting, participants will share their understanding of the strategy and the best ways to implement it, especially in promoting the use of emerging technologies in education, she stated.

The strategy is reflected in the new education curriculum, which embraces digital literacy among students and teachers, she elaborated, noting that implementing the strategy requires a multi-sectoral approach in financing, management and coordination.

It similarly demands that internal systems be strengthened for improved capacity at the ministerial and institutional levels, as its benefits can only be reaped via concrete strategies and collaboration of all relevant stakeholders, she emphasised.

This is why we have consulted a wide range of stakeholders in the development of this strategy, from the public and private sectors to civil society and academia,” the top administrator explained.

Praising current revamping and curriculum improvement, she said that the government needs to ensure that we produce graduates who will be able to initiate innovative tasks on the basis of skills attained.

This will greatly push the country’s development as well as addressing unemployment, she stated, stressing competent college output capable of helping to push transformation in various areas in line with current technology and science.

Improved curricula support the provision of vocational education in primary and secondary schools to groom learners to later navigate the highly competitive labour market, she said.

The key is investing in infrastructure and creating a conducive environment to facilitate acquisition and usage of emerging technologies in digital education and training, she further noted.

The government recognizes the importance of ICT for improved access, inclusiveness, equity, quality and relevance of education given an interconnected world, where knowledge and information are essential for the development of society, tied to the ability to communicate, she said.

Children and the wider society must benefit from and contribute to social economic development in the information age, she said, underlining the need for preparing children to take advantage of the full range of ICT applications.

They range from radio, television, smartphones, tablets, computers to bring about smart classrooms connected to the Internet and using artificial intelligence in certain areas. That will build the foundation for a well-educated, knowledge society, she affirmed.

Ayoub Kafyulilo, an education specialist at the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) acknowledged the importance of competences encompassing skills, knowledge and attitudes as increasingly vital in today’s global economy, characterised by globalisation and rapid technological advancements.

He praised reforms to transform learning in Tanzania including curriculum reforms to promote equality and meet labour market demands, noting that this initiative will provide digital learning tailored to individual needs.

It will empower children to unlock their full potential and thrive in today's economy, he said, vowing that UNICEF will support the government in promoting the use of emerging technologies to enhance teaching and learning at an institutional level.

Grace Kunambi, a form four pupil at Mtakuja Beach Secondary School in Dar es Salaam, expressed the view that the initiative will help improve the learning environment, enabling pupils to easily access various learning materials.

Janeth Thobias, a second-year student at the Vocational Education and Training College in Chang’ombe area in the city said the strategy will greatly support schools to start using emerging technologies for better education outcomes.