In September 2007, the International Youth Foundation (IYF) and the Tanzania Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (MoEVT) launched Bridgeit Tanzania, in close partnership with the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE), Nokia, Nokia Siemens Networks, Pearson Foundation and Vodacom Foundation. Bridgeit’s goal is to significantly increase the quality of teacher instruction and achievement among primary school boys and girls in math, science, and life skills through the innovative use of cell phone and digital technology. The Bridgeit project in Tanzania is a replication of a successful project in the Philippines known as text2teach. Locally, the Bridgeit Tanzania project is known as Elimu kwa Teknolojia (or ET), which means “Education through Technology.” This two-year project is supported through a grant from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and is working in the following seven regions: Lindi, Mtwara, Pwani, Dar es Salaam, Tanga, Dodoma and Kilimanjaro.
Bridgeit Tanzania brings together a dynamic public-private sector alliance that leverages technical assistance and in-kind support from key partners. In close collaboration with these partners, the project adapts and creates mathematics, science and life skills videos and establishes the necessary technological infrastructure for teachers to access the content in their classrooms. Bridgeit also trains teachers and provides them with comprehensive teacher’s guides and learner-centered lesson plans in order to enhance student-teacher interactions, ensure student participation, and guide the teachers on how to effectively use and integrate the videos.
