Tanzania’s NECTA Plans to Use AI to Improve Examination and Assessment Systems

Tanzania’s National Examinations Council (NECTA) says it is preparing to use artificial intelligence to improve examination and education assessment systems as the technology reshapes sectors around the world.

NECTA Executive Secretary Professor Said Mohamed announced the plans on Monday, August 17, in Arusha during the 42nd Annual Conference of the Association for Educational Assessment in Africa (AEAA).

The conference is being held from August 17 to 21 and has brought together participants from 28 countries in Africa and beyond to discuss the use of artificial intelligence in education, particularly in testing, assessment and examinations.

Mohamed said technological development has become an important part of life in the 21st century, with AI among the technologies rapidly changing different sectors, including education.

He said Tanzania cannot afford to remain behind as artificial intelligence continues to transform the way institutions operate and deliver services.

The discussions at the conference are focused on how AI can be incorporated into education assessment systems while maintaining the quality and credibility of examinations.

Speaking at the opening of the conference, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Permanent Secretary Professor Carolyne Nombo said the use of AI in education systems should focus on improving the quality and efficiency of assessment rather than replacing professional human judgement.

Nombo opened the conference on behalf of Education, Science and Technology Minister Professor Adolf Mkenda.

She said advances in AI offer significant opportunities to improve assessment systems, but their use must be guided by responsibility, integrity and professional expertise.

The government therefore sees AI as a tool that can support education professionals rather than replace their role in making important decisions about assessment and examinations.

The conference provides an opportunity for education assessment experts from different countries to exchange ideas on how AI can be used in areas such as examination processes, assessment methods and education quality assurance.