RUSH: We live in a world that is largely dominated by the use of digital technologies. The impact of technology can be seen in the availability of various social and economic services on our daily lives.

Information and communication technology has changed the trajectory of many public and private sector activities, including education, which has benefited greatly from innovation and improvements in the teaching and learning methods of students in the country.

Each year, CSOs hold a conference called 'AZAKI WEEK' which brings together governments and civil society organizations from the public and private sectors to discuss different issues for the benefit of the development of Tanzanians.

For 2023, CSOs Week was held from October 23 to October 27 in Arusha with the theme 'Technology and Society: Where we are from, where we are now and where we are heading, to highlight the opportunities and challenges that come from the developing world of technology'.

Vodacom Tanzania Foundation, a part of Vodacom Tanzania, focused on community restoration activities focusing on health, education, inclusive economic empowerment, and the environment, was one of the participants this year.

At the ceremony, the institute was among the key partners, presenting the contribution of mobile technology and its contribution to the education sector, by introducing innovative educational solutions. For example, its online learning platform, e-Awareness, and the importance of digital education in reducing the education gap in the country.

E-Fahamu was founded by the Vodacom Tanzania Foundation in 2017 with the aim of helping students access to digital learning. The website collects local and international content, specially prepared for students and teachers in the form of videos and PDFs. It also contains content from the Tanzania Institute of Education, a digital library stocked with resources for secondary schools such as books.

The e-Fahamu website is available without the use of data to Vodacom internet customers, where they can use it via their mobile phone or computer.

The goals of setting up such a website are to ensure people interested in learning in the country have access to learning materials easily, as well as to facilitate access to education for those who have not had the opportunity to study formal education.

The institute is working with stakeholders from the public and private sectors to spread the e-Knowledge website to secondary schools. It has partnered with the Communications for All Fund (UCSAF) and African Child Projects, since 2019 under the umbrella of the School Connectivity Programme where the partnership brings together resources such as digital resources, teacher training and internet connectivity to enable schools to access digital learning and education.

To date, the institution, through this partnership, has reached more than 600,000 students, 900 secondary schools, and over 15,000 teachers.

Speaking at CSO Week 2023 on how the government is handling policies and systems, the Director General of the IT Commission, Engineer Samson Mwela said, "The government has been working on policies and systems that support innovation in the country. The National Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) has prioritised innovation, through Dar Teknohama Business Incubator (DTBi). It has also led to the emergence of many programs such as the Vodacom Digital Accelerator. To ensure technology makes progress, we must revisit policies that are innovative, or outdated."