AI in education, blessing indisguise

DAR ES SALAAM: ARTIFICIAL Intelligence (AI) is a technology that is rapidly spreading throughout many industries across the world and education is no exception.

AI is quickly becoming a popular tool in classrooms and schools around the world. In fact, according to a study conducted by International Data Corporation (IDC), 92 per cent of institutions are already using AI technology regularly.

AI in education takes on many forms and can be used by anyone involved in an academic setting such as teachers, students and administrative members.

In education setting, it can be used in the classroom for any age group, making this an exciting and evolving technology that is being liked by many people since they are guaranteed of its efficiency.

AI may also be called machine intelligence and refers to the simulated human intelligence in computer systems and programmes or in machines.

In case you are thinking that this is a completely foreign concept, you would be surprised to learn that you likely use AI in your daily life already. For example, Apple’s Siri and Google’s Alexa both use voice recognition powered by artificial intelligence.

Using Artificial Intelligence at the workplace was among the topics discussed during the School Leadership and Financial Management: Strategies for Success workshop held at Mzumbe University in Dar es Salaam from December 16th to 17th.

The two-day event was organised by Mzumbe University – Dar es Salaam Campus College and Tanzania Association of Managers and Owners of Non-Government Schools and Colleges (TAMONGSCO).

Together, the participants elaborated on the numerous topics that are essential to advance education sector in the country, ranging from Financial Management for Schools, Project Development, Pension and Retirement Planning as well as Leadership and Artificial Development.

In her opening remarks, Acting Deputy Principal at Mzumbe University – Dar es Salaam Campus College Dr Coretha Komba highlighted that such workshops are important as they help to improve efficiency in private owned institutions.

“I am pleased that you have chosen Mzumbe University to conduct this meaningful event and after this training, you are going to equip yourselves with essential skills in terms of financial management and others.

“If you succeed to do financial management, you will be able to run well your respective institutions and, in such doing, the level of education services that you provide to people will be of high quality.

“In this training, you will also get an opportunity to understand applicable skills on how to reduce cost in running your schools and at the same time, assured of making profit which is important in managing your activities well.

“Also, I have been told that much of this workshop will base on practical learning, which I believe will help a lot to sharpen your knowledge and become a different person when you go back to your working places,” Dr Komba said.

Presenting the concept of AI in education, Social Media Expert, Ms Ester Shedafa insisted that in today’s world, there is no way one can ignore the influence of technology in executing various responsibilities.

“I have taught them how they can create catching content on their media platforms to attract the attention of many people within and outside the country easily.

“Every parent or guardian would like to send their children to good schools where they can get quality education, hence it is the responsibility of the concerned schools to advertise what they offer to the learners.

“If your school does well in national examinations, the best way to show it to the public is through the use of social media and if the school has a computer lab, people would like to see the pictures of your lab with computers in it.

“So, the more you showcase such things on media platforms, the more you will open doors for many people to understand what you can offer to students once they choose to join your school,” she elaborated.

Furthermore, she pointed out that the arrival of AI in education is a blessing to the extent that it has simplified many jobs that used to consume a lot of time to complete.

“Of course, anything has got its own advantage and disadvantage, depending on how you use it…but with AI in education sector, I can confidently say that teachers, students and administrative members are all benefiting from it,” she said.

On his part, TAMONGSCO Chairman Alfred Luvanda observed that there is a strong need to improve the existing Education Act, which was established in 1978, saying many things have changed in between.

“The Education Act we have now is outdated compared with the demands of the current education sector, as such it requires a lot of improvement to go at the needed pace.

“As TAMONGSCO, we have gathered our own recommendations on what we think should be done to improve the Education Act that and we are going to submit them to the government,” he remarked.

He also called on close cooperation between the government and TAMONGSCO, saying they are also rendering education services to Tanzanians for the sake of giving them quality education.

Chairperson of the Committee at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) for the Collection of Stakeholder Views on the Review of the Education Act of 1978, Professor Saudin Mwakaje, appreciated the valuable services provided by private institutions in the country.

“As the government, we are grateful for the contributions of private institutions, as they complement our efforts in delivering high-quality education to the public,” he said.

“Many of these private institutions are achieving this goal, with excellent infrastructure that supports the provision of quality education. We fully appreciate their efforts and encourage them to continue this important work.”

He explained that the government is currently in the process of gathering feedback to review the Education Act and engaging with groups like TAMONGSCO is part of this consultation process.

Professor Mwakaje emphasised that the government is committed to working alongside private institutions to ensure quality education services for all Tanzanians. In her remarks, Gisela Masika, a representative from Consolatha Lupembe Primary School in Njombe, shared how the workshop had expanded her knowledge, particularly in budgeting.

“Managing a school is no easy task; it requires people skilled in budgeting. This was one of the key topics we learned during the two-day training,” she explained. “I am confident that the knowledge I gained will help our school improve its financial management and and achieve greater success.