By The Respondent Reporter
Dar es Salaam, March 2025 – Airtel Tanzania, through its Airtel SmartWASOMI project, has installed high-speed internet in 50 secondary schools in Ukonga District, Dar es Salaam.
This initiative is part of Airtel’s broader plan to connect 3,000 schools across the country within five years, supporting digital learning and addressing the shortage of teaching materials.
The project aligns with the vision of Hon. Jerry Silaa, Minister for ICT and Member of Parliament for Ukonga Constituency, who is committed to advancing digital education in the district.
Speaking at the handover ceremony at Pugu Secondary School, Airtel Tanzania’s Public Relations and CSR Manager, Jackson Mmbando, highlighted the project’s impact.
“Airtel SmartWASOMI is a connectivity initiative aimed at accelerating digital learning across Tanzania. The project is implemented in collaboration with the government through the Ministry of Education and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Our goal is to improve the teaching and learning environment for both teachers and students while supporting the government’s efforts to enhance digital education nationwide,” he said.
Mmbando emphasized that Airtel is on track to provide free, high-speed internet to over 3,000 schools.
“Through this initiative, students and teachers can access essential learning materials at no cost. The Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE) library is available free of charge to Airtel users, meaning they will not incur any extra costs when accessing educational resources through Airtel’s high-speed internet,” he said.
He further stated that Airtel has successfully distributed and installed high-speed connectivity in 50 government-owned secondary schools in Ukonga District under the SmartWASOMI project.
The Head of the Secondary Education Department in Ukonga, Mussa Ali, urged teachers to take full advantage of the new connectivity, noting its potential to bridge learning gaps and address material shortages.
“With this internet access, teachers can share resources and interact with students online. This initiative is particularly valuable for subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics, where access to digital resources can significantly enhance learning,” he said.
Asha Kinyogo, Headmistress of Buyuni Secondary School, expressed gratitude to Airtel Tanzania for its investment in digital education.
“I applaud Airtel for this life-changing initiative that is transforming education in Tanzania. The installation of high-speed internet in our school will greatly enhance students’ learning experiences, as they now have seamless access to a wealth of educational materials online. We believe the Airtel SmartWASOMI project will have a lasting impact on our schools,” she noted.
The five-year SMARTWASOMI initiative underscores Airtel Tanzania’s commitment to helping students reach their full potential by ensuring equal access to quality digital education.
So far, Airtel SmartWASOMI has provided free internet for e-learning to 50 schools in Zanzibar, 42 in Kilimanjaro, 50 in Arusha, 15 in Nzega-Tabora, 20 in Dodoma, and 20 in Mbeya.
The project continues to expand with the goal of connecting 3,000 government secondary schools nationwide.