Fifteen Tanzanian educators have emerged as winners of a China-supported digital teaching competition designed to strengthen teachers’ digital skills and promote the use of technology in education.
The competition, which attracted 222 primary, secondary and higher-education teachers from 22 regions across Tanzania, concluded with an award ceremony at the University of Dar es Salaam on Friday, August 28.
The initiative was jointly organised by the China-Africa Regional Center for Digital Education Cooperation at Zhejiang Normal University, the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), and the Institute of the China-Africa Consortium of Universities Exchange Mechanism.
222 teachers participated in competition
Since its launch in late April, the competition assessed teachers on their ability to apply digital technologies in practical classroom settings.
Participants submitted teaching designs and videos demonstrating how digital tools could be integrated into teaching and learning.
Following the preliminary round, 90 teachers advanced to the final stage of the competition.
The finalists participated in a two-day face-to-face competition, where they were assessed through lesson presentations, simulated teaching sessions and question-and-answer discussions.
Following the evaluation, 15 teachers were selected as the top performers.
Competition focused on digital teaching skills
Huang Xiao, acting director of the China-Africa Regional Center for Digital Education Cooperation at Zhejiang Normal University, said the competition focused on the practical application of digital technologies in real-world teaching.
According to Huang, the initiative provided a new approach to strengthening teachers’ digital competence through technology-enabled teaching practice.
The competition brought together educators from different levels of Tanzania’s education system, highlighting the growing importance of digital skills across primary, secondary and higher education.
China pledges continued support
Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Chen Mingjian said digital technology was transforming education, industries and societies, making digital skills increasingly important for both teachers and learners.
She said China would continue supporting Tanzania’s educational development while promoting deeper cooperation in digital education, science and technology.
The development comes amid growing efforts across Africa to strengthen digital learning and equip teachers with the skills required to use emerging technologies effectively in classrooms.
Digital skills becoming increasingly important
The competition highlights the growing need for African education systems to invest not only in digital infrastructure but also in teacher training.
As schools and universities increasingly adopt artificial intelligence, digital learning platforms, online resources and other education technologies, teachers need practical skills to integrate these tools into teaching.
The Tanzanian initiative therefore demonstrates how teacher-focused digital training can complement investments in education technology and help educators adapt to changing approaches to teaching and learning.
Source: Xinhua
Photo credit: Xinhua/Emmanuel Herman
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