Aga Khan University equips Tanzanian teachers with leadership, management skills
What you need to know:
- It comes at a time when the government is emphasising the importance of educator quality in meeting the need for high-quality education.
Dar es Salaam. At least 47 teachers have graduated with a diploma in education management and administration courtesy of the funding through the Foundations for Learning (F4L) project.
The achievement was made by participants in a two-year Diploma in Education Management and Administration (DEMA) programme in Nachingwea.
It comes at a time when the government is insisting on the quality of educators to support the demand for quality education.
This also comes following the partnership between the Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development, East Africa (AKU-IED EA) and the Agency for the Development of Educational Management (ADEM).
The graduation event that drew over 65 attendees, including school heads from four councils in the Lindi region, including Lindi Municipal, Mtama, Nachingwea, and Ruangwa, marked yet another milestone for the AKU-IED EA.
A press statement issued to The Citizen on Saturday, June 15, 2024, indicates that attendees, including government officials from Lindi regional and district education offices, witnessed first-hand the transformative impact of the programme.
Graduates showcased significant improvements in their teaching and learning practices, particularly in areas of pedagogy such as English and mathematics subjects, gender inclusivity and diversity, and information and communication technology (ICT) integration in the classroom.
AKU-IED EA dean, Prof Jane Rarieya, emphasised the importance of the core principles that guide the DEMA programme, echoing the importance of gender equity.
“Gender equity is not simply about achieving parity in numbers; it’s about creating an environment where every individual, regardless of gender, feels valued, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential,” she said.
Furthermore, the statement says the ceremony included presentations by the graduates, who shared their success stories on how the programme has been a game changer in leadership positions as well as personal growth.
Furthermore, the document says the projects highlighted how the graduates tackled critical challenges faced by their schools, including issues like proposal writing for resource mobilisation, creativity in creating learning corners in the early-year classroom, gender integration and inclusion, and the effective integration of ICT in teaching and learning.
The document says the ICT integration was the highlight of the day when Mr Onesmo Samuel, a beneficiary who teaches at Mnara Primary School in Ruangwa District, had the opportunity to present his portfolio via Zoom from Arusha.
His portfolio showcased the transformative journey of their diploma programme.
The completion of the DEMA programme marks a new chapter for these teachers in Tanzania. They are now equipped to champion the education agenda by addressing the gaps in the education system and inspiring positive change, according to the press statement.
“AKU remains dedicated to supporting the ministry of education in Tanzania by equipping teachers with the 21st-century skills needed for education transformation in Tanzania and beyond,” concluded Prof Rarieya.
