UNICEF, the Tanzanian Government, and a diverse range of partners have united to launch the SmartWASOMI initiative. This collective effort aims to accelerate the rollout of digital learning by providing free internet connectivity to schools nationwide, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive in the digital age.
SmartWASOMI initiative will leverage existing and new digital infrastructure to provide high-speed internet connectivity to public secondary schools through a national digital teaching and learning platform. The project’s pilot phase has already made significant strides, reaching 50 secondary schools across Zanzibar, Dodoma, and Mbeya. The digital learning platforms will deliver audio lessons and provide teachers and school management with teaching guides and content.
Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa said during the launch, “This partnership is a major step forward for Tanzania. It aligns with our national vision of providing digital infrastructure for every child. I would like to thank partners for making digital content accessible to children in urban and rural areas.”
In 2022, Tanzania made a resolute commitment to revolutionize education through digital initiatives at the Transforming Education Summit during the UN General Assembly. This commitment is not just words, but action. The new education curriculum embraces digital literacy among students and teachers, and the Government has distributed 300,000 tablets to schools, demonstrating its unwavering dedication to advancing digital education.
Dinesh Balsingh, managing director of a local telecom company that is partnering with the project, shared his vision for SmartWASOMI. He said:
We are working closely with educational authorities, teachers, and local communities to ensure the successful implementation of this initiative. Our vision for SmartWASOMI is rooted in the belief that education is a fundamental pillar for socio-economic development. We are excited about this project’s potential to transform education in Tanzania, empowering the next generation of leaders and innovators. Together, we can create a more connected, informed, and empowered Tanzania, where every student can reach their full potential.
The partnership will provide digital learning tailored to individual needs, empowering children to unlock their full potential and thrive in today’s economy. It aims to bridge the digital divide by connecting schools to the internet and providing digital tools to every young person to access educational resources and opportunities.
Elke Wisch, UNICEF Representative to Tanzania, also commented on the development:
Digital learning is a powerful tool that can transform education in Tanzania, especially for excluded children and communities. Through the SmartWASOMI public-private partnership initiative, the Government, UNICEF, and a telecom company are collaborating to ensure that teachers can access modern learning methods and that no student or child is left behind. UNICEF will continue to work with the Government to develop an evidence-based digital learning strategy that supports the country’s efforts to provide 21st-century education.
The SmartWASOMI initiative is expected to run for five years and ensure digital education access to more than 3,000 schools across Tanzania.
