Application of Centralized Artificial Intelligence-eLearning Based System in Delivering Competency-Based and Equal Access to Quality Education in Tanzanian Secondary Schools

Abstract

The delivery of competency-based and equal access to quality education is the main goal of developing countries to end poverty by 2030. The entire plan has been impacted by an emergency outbreak of diseases such as COVID-19 which caused schools to use unusual teaching methods to cover the learning curriculum due to school lockdown. The study examined the problem and used a purposive sampling technique to collect data from teachers in the Arusha region. Structured interviews and questionnaires data collection methods were used to collect primary data from head teachers, academic teachers, and computer subject teachers to examine the learning system and impact of COVID-19 in delivering competency-based and equal access to quality education. After data analysis, findings revealed that COVID-19 and traditional classroom teaching systems impacted the delivery of competency-based and equal access to quality education during school lockdown. This situation alters the good plans of the government for ending employment dependencies to society by promoting innovations, creativity, and self-employment opportunities by offering quality education. To address these challenges, the study recommends that the government implement a centralized Artificial Intelligence eLearning-based system in secondary schools to transform the traditional classroom learning system into a virtual classroom to avoid the interruption of the education calendar and personalize the students' learning outcomes based on his/her interests. To successfully enhance the delivery of competency-based and equal access to quality education for self-employment, the education system of Tanzanian secondary schools should focus on students’ learning content and not the curriculum coverage. This system will address the shortage of science and mathematics teachers facing secondary schools. Due to the significance of education in fighting against poverty, this article calls for amendments to the national ICT policy in education to address the challenges of an emergency outbreak of disease that has been affecting the sector of education.