Local Edutech Innovation for Tanzania's Changing Curriculum: Tips for Future Innovators.

Innovating for education locally in Tanzania is a challenging endeavor. If innovators do not take into account the major stakeholders, the authorities, and of course customers, and consumers, they will likely face difficulties. This is because most customers and other stakeholders will wait for the authorities to approve the use of the innovation before adopting it. The work required to bring an innovation to market doubles when the final product is a hardware electronic device. The authorities in education will begin by asking a simple question: "Is this a syllabus-based product?" However, this is not a simple yes or no question, especially in Tanzania. It is important to consider this question before embarking on a journey in edutech, as it was the first step in my own journey.

The work required to bring an innovation to market doubles when the final product is a hardware electronic device.

Yes, In the initial stages of conceptualizing my first educational technology (edutech) idea, I experienced a spark of inspiration. Motivated by this idea, I visited a friend at the Education College of the University of Dodoma to engage in discussions centered around education objectives, competencies, and the various approaches and philosophies they were learning in their studies employed to achieve them. These discussions provided valuable insights, leading me to photocopy the O'level and A'Level curricula and syllabi for thorough analysis (I like reading physical books more than softcopies). Delving into each word meticulously, my goal was to ensure the creation of something profoundly relevant. This was the first guiding manual I traveled with to Mwanza to start the journey.

Collaborating with one of my esteemed innovation advisors ( Dr. Jabhera Matogoro ) during a Makisatu event, we explored methods to integrate my innovation into curriculum objectives. Our dialogue focused on quantitatively and qualitatively assessing the coverage of my innovation against the curriculum targets. This approach not only facilitated the monitoring of innovation relevance but also enabled the establishment of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the Research and Development (R&D) department. Utilizing data analysis, I developed a straightforward document and dashboard to track progress in aligning with the official curriculum, including a ratio comparison between curricular and extracurricular coverage. Remaining attuned to changes introduced by the Tanzanian Institute of Education (TIE) in the curriculum and syllabi allowed us to promptly adapt our R&D targets.

The landscape of education in Tanzania has undergone a significant transformation, particularly since the early 2010s, as it shifted towards student-centered and competency-based learning. This transformative endeavor involves widespread integration of technology at the grassroots level, incorporating computer science education within standard classroom settings. This departure from treating computer science and other coding programs as extracurricular foreign-based programs usually implemented by Tech hubs and Maker Spaces to its integration within the curriculum presents both opportunities and challenges for edutech innovators.

It is important to note, however, that aligning with curriculum targets is just one facet of creating a meaningful sustainable innovation.

Therefore, given this paradigm shift, it becomes imperative for edutech innovators to meticulously analyze the evolving curriculum. Drawing actionable insights from these analyses will enable the derivation of effective product innovation strategies. Failure to align innovations with the proposed impending curriculum adjustments can potentially lead to challenges when marketing products that do not adhere to the approved curriculum. It is important to note, however, that aligning with curriculum targets is just one facet of creating a meaningful sustainable innovation. A comprehensive approach encompassing various aspects is essential for making an innovation a successful and sustainable business in the edutech landscape.