The Open University of Tanzania (OUT) has successfully trained 24 STEM teachers from Iringa District Council in advanced digital skills under the CL4STEM programme, culminating in a certificate award and dissemination workshop.
The initiative, implemented through OUT’s UNESCO Chair on Teacher Education and Curriculum, aimed to strengthen teachers’ capacity to deliver competency-based STEM education using modern digital tools.
Opening the workshop, Prof. Kapaya Saganga, Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic, Research, and Consultancy at OUT, praised the teachers for their progress in mastering digital teaching platforms, open educational resources, and responsible use of artificial intelligence in the classroom.
He highlighted that the programme also equipped teachers with training-of-trainers skills, enabling them to mentor colleagues and expand the reach of digital learning across schools in the district.
Dr. Edephonce Nfuka, CL4STEM Project Lead, reported that teachers achieved a 20 percent improvement in digital competencies and that more than 90 percent are ready to train their peers using platforms such as GeoGebra, PhET simulations, Moodle, and AI-based learning tools.
He emphasized that the programme not only boosts digital readiness but also reinforces the implementation of Tanzania’s competency-based curriculum.
Representing the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Mussa Mnyeti commended OUT and Iringa District Council for equipping teachers to adopt digital and AI tools responsibly, aligning with national education priorities.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to scaling up digital learning innovations across schools.
Certificates were awarded both physically and digitally through the Moodle platform, symbolizing the successful integration of technology into STEM teaching.
The training represents a significant milestone in building digitally empowered educators, paving the way for improved STEM learning outcomes across Iringa District.