Integration of digital technologies into primary school science education: exploring challenges and craved initiatives
Keywords:
challenges, craved initiatives, digital technologies, science education, rural primary schoolsAbstract
The study explored the challenges and craved initiatives for adoption to enhance the integration of digital technologies into science education in Tanzanian rural primary schools. It employed interviews, documentary reviews, and observations to generate data. Data were analysed thematically. The findings show that limited technological facilities, little knowledge of integrating digital technologies, lack of priority to teach science and technology subjects practically, and teachers’ negative attitudes impeded a successful integration of digital technologies. The study further revealed the establishment of e-resource centres, science curriculum content digitalisation, the introduction of digital technology science labs, and the digitalisation of teacher education as desired initiatives for adoption to enhance the integration of digital technologies. The study recommends a collaborative partnership between the government and interested local and international digital technology agencies for technical and financial support to address the challenges and implement the desired initiatives.
References
Alcardo, A. B., Anangisye, W. A. L., Neterindwa, A., Michael, H. M., Hellen, M., Alex, X. M., Aziza, I., & Camillius, S. (2019). Transforming African education systems in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) using ICTs: challenges and opportunities. Education Research International, https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/6946809.
Alihaji, M., Qian, X., Ramadhan, M. K., & Mike, S. A. (2024). Integration of the use of tablets into teaching and learning in secondary schools of Micheweni district in Zanzibar. Asian Journal of Education and Social Studies, 50(50), 477-488.
Bakari, A. D., & Ali, M. M. (2023). Introduction of ICT subject in Zanzibar primary education: challenges and opportunities. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 8(1).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2023.100522.
Bitegeko, R. M., Lawrent, G., & Cosmas, J. (2024). Applying the UNESCO ICT competency framework to evaluate digital competencies among undergraduate students in teacher education in Tanzania. Educational Technology Quarterly, 20(3), 298-318.
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative research in psychology, 3(2), 77-101, https://doi. org/ 10. 1191/ 14780 88706 qp063oa.
Bryman, A. (2016). Social research methods. Oxford University Press.
Bulugu, P. P., & Nkebukwa, L. (2024). The adoption and use of digital literacy programs in selected tertiary institutions of Tanzania. Indonesian Journal of Social Research (IJSR), 6(1), 24-31.
Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2018). Research methods in education. Routledge.
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. SAGE Publications.
Dai, Z., Xiong, J., Zhao, L., & He, X. (2024). The effectiveness of ICT-enhanced teaching mode using activity theory on raising class interaction and satisfaction in an engineering course. Interactive Learning Environments, 32(1), 286-305.
David, L. (2018). Evaluation of virtual reality in Africa: an educational perspective. http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0013/001346/134607e.pdf/.
Delgado, M. A. V. (2023). Digital education deployment in developing countries in the context of a new digital economy-based society. https://repositorio.comillas.edu/xmlui/handle/11531/77588.
de Vicente, C. V. (2024). Redefining education in the digital age: a mixed-methods study of technology integration and teacher perspectives in Spanish schools. (Master’s thesis). https://helda.helsinki.fi/items/5af2cdb7-2e7b-4d22-944e-ddbe2770a5c0.
Education Officer-Sida Integrated Project (EOSIP), (2023). Education officer-Sida integrated project report Mbozi, Songwe Region. https://www.savethechildren.net/careers/apply/details?jid=895.
Engestrom, Y. (2008). From teams to knots: activity-theoretical studies of collaboration and
learning at work (learning in doing: social, cognitive and computational perspectives). Cambridge University Press.
Francis, J. S. (2024). Anxiety’s impact on mathematics ability in Tanzanian secondary school students: a Singida district case study. Valley International Journal Digital Library, 457-466.
Fussy, D. S., Iddy, H., Amani, J., & Mkimbili, S. T. (2023). Girls’ participation in science education: Structural limitations and sustainable alternatives. International Journal of Science Education, https://doi: 10.1080/09500693.2023.2188571.
Gyasi, J. F., Zheng, L., & Zhou, Y. (2021). Perusing the past to propel the future: a systematic review of STEM learning activity based on activity theory. Sustainability, 13(16), 88-105.
Haleem, A., Javaid, M., Qadri, M. A., & Suman, R. (2022). Understanding the role of digital technologies in education: a review. Sustainable operations and computers, 3, 275-285.
Integrated Rural Development Organisation (IRDO). (2024). Strategic and resource mobilisation plans 2024-2028. http://www.irdo.or.tz/IRDO%20Strategic%20&%.
John, P. (2024). Enhancing digital literacy and language rhetoric among school leavers: rethinking Tanzania’s basic education language curriculum. Indonesian Educational Research Journal, 1(3), 120-130.
Kafanabo, E.J. (2024). The use of mobile phone technology in teaching and learning for primary school pupils during COVID-19 school closure in Tanzania. Papers in Education and Development (PED), 42(1), 1-19. https://dx.doi.org/10.56279/ped.v42i1.1.
Kassim, F. (2024). Assessing the integration of ICT as a pedagogical tool in secondary education: a case study in Tanzania. International Journal of Contemporary Africa Research Network, 2(1), 56-76.
Keijo, S. (2014). Educational use of information and communications technology: teachers’ perspective. Technology, Pedagogy and Education, 23(2), 225-241, https://doi.org/10.1080/1475939X.2013.813407.
Marasinghe, I. K., Weerasooriya, W. A., & Rathnabahu, N. (2024). Behavioural intention to use electronic resources by distance learners: an extension of the technology acceptance model. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 56(3), 594-606.
Maxwell, J. A. (2013). Qualitative research design: An interactive approach. Sage.
Ministry of Information, Communication and Information Technology (MoICIT). (2024). Tanzania digital economy strategic framework 2024-2034. MoICIT.
MoICIT. (2023). Drafted national ICT policy, 2023. Author.
Ndibalema, P. (2014). Teachers’ attitudes towards the use of information communication technology (ICT) as a pedagogical tool in secondary schools in Tanzania: the case of Kondoa district. International Journal of Education and Research 2(2), 1-16.
Ngodu, A., Ndibalema, P. M., & William, F. (2024). Context-relevant strategies for ICT integration in teaching and learning science subjects in Tanzania secondary schools. Educational Technology Quarterly, 2024(1), 20-37.
Nieveen, N., van der Veen, J., & Ventura-Medina, E. (2024). Pathways to innovative STEM education. Technische Universiteit Eindhoven.
Oreku, G. S. (2022). ICT in education: mapping digital learning initiatives in Tanzania. Literacy Information and Computer Education Journal (LICEJ), 13(1), https://doi.org/10.20533/licej.2040.2589.2022.0486.
Peter, J. B. (2023). E-pedagogy: towards the model for technology-based education for secondary schools in Tanzania. https://cdn.unicaf.org/websites/unicaf/wp- content/uploads/2023/11/Jane-Bethuel-Peter-FINAL-thesis.docx_compressed.pdf.
Sandoval-Henríquez, F. J., Sáez-Delgado, F., & Badilla-Quintana, M. G. (2024). A systematic review on the integration of immersive technologies to improve learning in primary education. Journal of Computers in Education, 1-26.
Shehaj, A. (2022). Revolutionized learning: education policy and digital reform in the eurozone. European Policy Analysis, 8(3), 312-326.
Shvardak, M., Ostrovska, M., Bryzhak, N., Predyk, A., & Moskovchuk, L. (2024). The use of digital technologies in professional training of primary school teachers. International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education, 16(3), 363-376.
Tandika, P. B., & Ndijuye, L. G. (2019). Pre-primary teachers’ preparedness in integrating information and communication technology in teaching and learning in Tanzania. Information and Learning Sciences, 121(1), 79-94.
UNESCO, (2018). ICT competency framework for teachers (ICTCFT). http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0021/002134/213475e.pdf.
Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications: designs and methods. SAGE Publications.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Papers in Education and Development

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
This work may be shared and adapted for non-commercial purposes, with appropriate credit given.
