DAR-The Open University of Tanzania (OUT), under the UNESCO Chair on Teacher Education and Curriculum, hosted a virtual certificate award ceremony on December 19, 2024, to recognise 76 STEM teachers for completing a year-long part-time professional development course under the Connected Learning for Teacher Capacity Building in STEM (CL4STEM) project. 
The event, attended by representatives from the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology (MoEST), PO-RALG, and Iringa education offices, celebrated the teachers' achievements and outlined ambitious plans to scale up the initiative to benefit more schools in Tanzania.
The CL4STEM initiative, a South-South collaboration funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the Global Partnership for Education Knowledge and Innovation Exchange (GPE-KIX), brought together institutions from Tanzania, India, Nigeria, and Bhutan.
Through this partnership, the project equipped teachers with innovative teaching methodologies, including Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK), Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and mobile-based Communities of Practice (CoPs).
These approaches encouraged higher-order thinking, learner-centred, inclusive and equity practices, the use of locally available materials, and the integration of technology into STEM education.
The program trained teachers from nine secondary schools in Iringa District Council: Mgama, Ifunda Tech., Lyandembela, Lumuli, Tanangozi, Kibena, St. Mary Ulete, Lipuli, and Bread of Life.
Teachers reported increased confidence in their teaching abilities, enhanced use of technology in the classroom, and greater creativity in leveraging local resources for teaching.
Reflections from participants, such as Ms Meresiana Lugendo, Head of Lyandembela Secondary School, revealed significant improvements, including a rise in STEM student interest and enrolment from 40 to 75.
Mr. Emmanuel Kahise, speaking on behalf of the teachers, highlighted how the project through creation and use of an engaging lesson plan enabled them to address common teaching challenges, promote learner-centred approaches, and foster critical thinking among students.
By adopting innovative practices, schools also reduced the need for costly teaching aids, leveraging resources found within the local environment.
Prof. Elifas Bisanda, Vice-Chancellor of OUT, commended the teachers, education stakeholders, and partners for their roles in enhancing STEM education in Tanzania.
He stressed the need for continuous improvements to address challenges in mathematics and science education, pointing out that only 25% of Form Four students achieved a D grade or higher in mathematics last year.
He praised the CL4STEM project for equipping teachers with tools to foster problem-solving, creativity, and inclusivity in classrooms.
To ensure the initiative's sustainability, as part of scaling up OUT is embedding key aspects of the CL4STEM methodologies into existing education programs and the new Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Teaching and Learning, covering areas such as innovative teaching methods, artificial intelligence, and micro-learning.
District Education Officer (DEO) representative Mr. Ohad Nosa detailed how scaling efforts will begin in January 2025, with an eight-zone strategy to train teachers across all 51 secondary schools in Iringa District Council.
This approach will leverage trained teachers as facilitators and aims to expand the initiative council-wide, reaching more educators and transforming STEM education in the council that can eventually be used across the region and the country.
A representative from the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology (MoEST), Mr. Mussa Mnyeti, when officiating this ceremony, commended the initiative as a model of educational innovation and emphasized the importance of integrating the project's innovative methodologies into the national curriculum.
He reiterated the ministry’s commitment to improving education policies and infrastructure to support such transformative projects. Collaboration with the Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE) was also suggested to incorporate the initiative’s innovative lesson plans into the curriculum.
Regional Education Officer (REO) representative Mr. Atilio Mganwa commended the initiative and sees the opportunity to scale up the initiative to over 200 schools in the region, demonstrating its potential to transform education at multiple levels. PO-RALG representative Mr. Makote praised the project for its cost-effective teaching practices and innovative use of local resources, urging teachers to share their knowledge through TPD platforms like MEWAKA.
Dr. Edephonce Nfuka, Director of Consultancy and Outreach Services at OUT and CL4STEM Project Coordinator in Tanzania, presented an overview of the project’s impact.
He emphasized how the initiative aligns with Tanzania’s education goals, as outlined in the new education and training policy (2014, revised in 2023).
He also highlighted the project’s focus on higher-order thinking, interactive lesson planning, and collaborative learning through mobile CoPs. Dr. Nfuka reaffirmed OUT’s commitment to partnering with stakeholders to expand the initiative regionally and nationally, reminding the slogan from Commissioner of Education Dr Mtahabwa during the launching of this initiative a year ago:
“Bendera ya ushindi wa Tanzania - ipo mikononi mwa mwalimu” (“The flag of Tanzania’s victory is in the hands of the teacher”).
The ceremony concluded with the digital awarding of certificates to teachers on the ceremony platform, Zoom, with each one getting his/her certificate via Moodle, the platform used for the training.
The session was closed by Dr. Ngonge, representing OUT, who reiterated the university’s dedication to sustaining and scaling the initiative to ensure STEM education continues transforming classrooms across Tanzania.
The event highlights the transformative potential of innovative teaching and collaborative efforts in addressing systemic challenges in STEM education.
By empowering teachers with modern tools and inclusive practices, the CL4STEM initiative is paving the way for a brighter educational future in Tanzania, supporting the country’s industrialization goals and socio-economic development.