BY THE ARUSHA NEWS REPORTER
Researchers meeting in Arusha have highlighted how the digital technology could help address practical challenges ranging from crop diseases to shortages of Mathematics teachers.
The studies were presented at the Second African-Nordic Conference on Mathematics, held in Arusha from 11 to 14 August, under the theme “Collaborative Research in Mathematics and Mathematics Education for Sustainable Development.”
One study by Bright Elisamehe of the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) examined the spread of early blight disease in tomatoes using mathematical modelling. His research showed that increased farmer awareness and wider use of control measures could reduce disease transmission, highlighting the importance of information campaigns and farmer participation in protecting tomato crops.
Another presentation focused on the shortage of Mathematics teachers in Tanzanian secondary schools. Research involving Ema Boki of UDSM examined how students cope when regular Mathematics teachers are unavailable and found that learners often rely on peer learning and textbooks.
The research also explored digital Mathematics instructional materials designed to support self-learning, particularly in under-resourced schools. Such tools could complement classroom teaching by giving students access to structured Mathematics lessons when specialist teachers are unavailable.
However, researchers cautioned that digital resources should support rather than replace qualified teachers, especially where students needed help understanding complex topics.
