AKF Tanzania embarks on a project to promote innovation

Speaking at a recent innovation exhibition showcasing event, 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 trains teachers to assess their student’s capability in class then subject them to innovation which is later translated into something tangible.

He said through the project, AKF actively seeks, connects, and funds innovative promising educational projects, and shares successful designs with stakeholders for wider adoption.

“The project aims to identify and support innovative teaching methods and facilitate their dissemination to other schools, so the event to day was to allow teachers to explain the challenges that they have encountered but also how to sharpen the innovative skills for better teaching,” he said.

He said since the project's inception in 2020, several successful initiatives have emerged including 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.

Another innovative approach was ‘learning through package visibility’ which 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.  It was developed by Tuangoma primary school.

The innovations which took place in Dar es Salaam were showcased at the exhibition, attracting teachers from various levels of education and sector stakeholders from Zanzibar and Mainland Tanzania.

Dr Mboni Amiri Ruzegeya Director General of the Tanzania Library Services the project has been a game changer in the teaching profession saying it complements the government move to reform the education policy.

She said the innovations were a holistic teacher design which involved pupils and other stakeholders including parents to dress challenges that affect them.

“The programmes facilitates critical thinking in pupils but also promotes team work among pupils which is a necessary tool in the learning and teaching process,” she said.