Students warned against using AI in essay competitions
DODOMA: STUDENTS have been cautioned against using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to write essays for regional competitions, with officials warning that reliance on such technology constitutes cheating and will lead to disqualification.
Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Dr Hussein Omar, issued the warning in Dodoma over the weekend during a ceremony to award winners of the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) essay competitions for 2023 and 2024.
Dr Omar stressed that using AI-generated content undermines originality and authenticity, which are central to creativity and learning.
“Using AI may appear to simplify the task, but it is a form of dishonesty that removes authenticity and will result in disqualification,” he said.
He encouraged students to use digital tools responsibly for research purposes, noting that reliable information about both communities is available on their official websites.
“I am greatly pleased to learn that our students have emerged among the top regional performers in both the EAC and SADC essay competitions. This demonstrates their commitment and understanding of regional integration matters,” Dr Omar said.
He singled out Msalato Secondary School student, Hollo Kadalla, who finished third in the 2023 SADC essay competition and Blandina Kabalemesa, who secured fourth place in the 2024 EAC competition, as examples of Tanzanian excellence.
“These are proud moments for our nation. Your hard work has raised Tanzania’s flag high,” he added.
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Looking ahead, Dr Omar urged students to participate in next year’s EAC essay contest, which will be conducted in Kiswahili, English and French.
He encouraged French medium schools to motivate students to submit entries in French, noting that submissions in the language have historically been few.
He also directed school heads and essay coordinators to ensure students strictly follow official guidelines, highlighting that many entries are disqualified at the national level for non-compliance.
Teachers were urged to support students with special needs, with experts available to interpret their work.
Dr Omar expressed appreciation to the EAC and SADC Secretariats for organising the competitions, describing the initiative as a valuable platform for students to learn about regional cooperation and integration.
Meanwhile, Commissioner for Education, Dr Lyabwene Mtahabwa, revealed that a total of 1,096 students participated in the 2023 EAC and SADC essay contests, with 892 students taking part in 2024.
He said 20 national winners, 10 from each competition will receive ministerial prizes, compared with previous years when only the top three were recognised.
Essays are assessed by expert panels from the mainland and Zanzibar, with SADC entries handled by the Ministry of Education and EAC entries by the National Examinations Council of Tanzania (NECTA).
“The expanded recognition has motivated more students to participate, which is vital for nurturing future leaders aware of regional and global dynamics,” Dr Mtahabwa said.
