DAR ES SALAAM: Airtel Tanzania has extended its high-speed internet connectivity to 50 secondary schools in Ukonga District, Dar es Salaam, under its Airtel SmartWASOMI initiative, reinforcing efforts to advance digital learning in the country.
The initiative aligns with the government’s vision of enhancing access to educational resources, with the support of the Minister for Information, Communication, and Technology, Mr. Jerry Silaa, who is also the Member of Parliament for Ukonga Constituency.
Speaking during the handover ceremony held at Pugu Secondary School, Airtel Tanzania’s Public Relations and CSR Manager, Mr. Jackson Mmbando, emphasized the importance of digital transformation in education.
“Airtel SmartWASOMI is a connectivity initiative aimed at accelerating digital learning across Tanzania. This 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 continued efforts to enhance digital education,” Mr. Mmbando noted.
He further stated that Airtel is on track to install high-speed internet in over 3,000 secondary schools nationwide within five years, allowing teachers and students to access essential learning materials at no cost.
“Airtel provides free access to the Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE) digital library, meaning that teachers and students using Airtel services will not incur any additional charges while accessing TIE’s educational resources,” he explained.
The Head of the Secondary Education Department in Ukonga, Mr. Mussa Ali, urged teachers to maximize the benefits of the Airtel SmartWASOMI project, underscoring its potential in addressing the shortage of learning materials.
ALSO READ: Tanzania gets ICT e-learning platform
“With this connectivity, teachers can now share resources and interact with students online. This is invaluable, especially in science subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics, as it facilitates remote learning and collaboration,” he said.
Buyuni Secondary School Headmistress, Ms. Asha Kinyogo, commended Airtel Tanzania for its contribution towards improving education in the country.
“I applaud Airtel for this life-changing initiative that is reshaping Tanzania’s education sector. With internet access now available at our school, students will significantly benefit from online educational materials, thus enhancing their learning experience,” she said.
Airtel Tanzania’s five-year SmartWASOMI project underscores the company’s commitment to ensuring equal access to quality digital learning for all students.
So far, the initiative has connected 50 schools in Zanzibar, 42 in Kilimanjaro, 50 in Arusha, 15 in Nzega-Tabora, 20 in Dodoma, and 20 in Mbeya.
The project remains on course to provide free high-speed internet to 3,000 government secondary schools, further strengthening the country’s digital learning landscape.
