AIRTEL AND BRITISH COUNCIL OPEN UP LEARNING SUPERHIGHWAY TO THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS IN TANZANIA

 Over 25 thousand teachers and learners in nine Regions in Tanzania are set to experience a step change in access to digital educational resources in their schools after Airtel joined forces with The British Council to maximize the learning benefits of Airtel's wider broadband connectivity of 5GB per month in a three-year deal for 22 Digital Hubs located in schools across nine regions in Tanzania. 

 Airtel will provide full internet accessibility to British Council Hubs, surrounding schools and communities. Digital Hubs have already been set up through partnerships with Microsoft in Arusha, Bagamoyo, Kilimanjaro, Iringa, Mbeya, Ruvuma, Dodoma, Zanzibar and Mara. 

High speed broadband access from Airtel for these hubs will guarantee teachers and students limitless new educational opportunities. The Hubs in Schools serve as ICT centers for teachers, students and wider communities. 

 Over the last three years, hundreds of schools across Tanzania have benefitted from British Council's work supporting educators to improve their teaching and learning process through ICT. British Council supports ICT initiatives in African schools that are sustainable and teacher-centered. Speaking at the partnership launch Airtel's Managing Director Mr. Sunil Colaso said, "Airtel believes in empowering communities through education and today we are very proud and honored to join hands with The British Council in growing the education sector through ICT" adding that "with the ever growing ICT sector in the modern world it is critical to equip our children at an early age." 

 Speaking at the launch British Council Tanzania's Country director Mr. Richard Sunderland said the partnership with Airtel builds on the Badiliko partnership between the British Council and Microsoft that supports ICT integration in schools across the region" adding "the partnership aims to improve the quality of life of communities through corporate social responsibility work in education.

He said the British Council has invested in digital interventions that enable African schools to participate in the global exchange of knowledge and ideas. Improved ICT skills enable teachers to link their classrooms to others globally, adding an international dimension to their educational experience and fostering mutual understanding. 

 In order to support governments to consider good practice in this area, the British Council has organised policy dialogue workshops in several countries highlighting key aspects in ICT intervention and Tanzania is due to hold a Policy Dialogue in October. 

This involves professional development for teachers and school leaders, infrastructure, curriculum, policy engagement and robust monitoring and evaluation.

Airtel's head of Communications Ms Beatrice Lukindo speaks during the launch. Left is the British Council Tanzania's Country director Mr. Richard Sunderland 

British Council Tanzania's Country director Mr. Richard Sunderland speaks at the launch of the project in Dar es salaam.