Teachers across Tanzania have been urged to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a tool for improving classroom instruction, with the government positioning the technology at the centre of efforts to modernise the country's education system.
The call was made by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology during the annual conference of the Tanzania English Language Teachers Association (TELTA), where education experts highlighted AI's growing role in enhancing teaching quality and student learning.
The ministry's EdTech Coordinator, Dr Alcardo Alex, said the government had prioritised the integration of emerging technologies into education and had already developed national guidelines on the use of AI from pre-primary education to universities.
"The ministry has prepared guidelines for the use of Artificial Intelligence at all levels of education to simplify teaching and learning," Dr Alex said.
He encouraged teachers, particularly those teaching English, to adopt AI-powered tools to improve lesson planning, classroom delivery and professional development.
According to Dr Alex, the government has completed 210 smart classrooms that are already in operation, with plans to expand the initiative to more schools across the country as part of the digital transformation of education.
He said AI has the potential to reduce teachers' administrative workload by assisting with lesson preparation, setting and marking examinations, and monitoring students' academic progress, allowing educators to devote more time to effective teaching.
"Teachers should embrace Artificial Intelligence because it offers an opportunity to expand knowledge, share experiences and improve the quality of education," he said.
TELTA Coordinator Dr Ayoub Msuya said AI could help teachers prepare more engaging lessons while making it easier for students to understand English.
He added that the technology would also enable teachers to identify effective teaching approaches and select learning materials that best meet students' needs.
The Head of the Department of Language Studies at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Dr. Onesmo Nyinondi, said the university had been entrusted with coordinating AI training for English language teachers nationwide.
He said the training programme is designed to equip teachers with practical skills to integrate AI into classroom instruction and ultimately improve students' learning outcomes.
The government's push for AI adoption reflects broader efforts to accelerate digital transformation in the education sector, with officials viewing technology as a key driver of improved teaching standards and better learning experiences for Tanzanian students.
