As digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) continue to reshape public institutions around the world, strengthening the digital capacities of public servants has become essential to improving service delivery, institutional efficiency and informed decision-making. To support this transformation, UNESCO Dar es Salaam, in partnership with the Zanzibar Correctional Facility (ZCF), successfully conducted a three-day Capacity-Building Programme on 21st Century Skills, Digital Pedagogy, Practical Digital Tools and Artificial Intelligence for correctional officers at Chuo cha Mafunzo in Zanzibar from 14 to 16 July 2026.
The training brought together 32 correctional officers, who represented a wide range of departments, including Administration and Management, Rehabilitation and Programmes, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Custody and Operations, and the ZCF Training College, reflecting the institution’s commitment to embedding digital competencies across its workforce.
The programme was designed to strengthen participants’ competencies in applying digital technologies and AI to improve workplace productivity, communication, knowledge management and institutional performance, while promoting the ethical and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence in line with UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence.
Opening the programme, Commissioner of the Zanzibar Correctional Facility, Col. Khamis Bakari Khamis, expressed his sincere appreciation to UNESCO for facilitating the training and described the initiative as both timely and essential in strengthening the digital transformation of correctional services. He encouraged participants to embrace the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the programme, noting:
This training is timely and much needed. As technology continues to transform the way institutions operate, it is essential that our officers are equipped with the digital and Artificial Intelligence skills required to work more efficiently, responsibly and professionally. I encourage all participants to apply the knowledge and skills they have gained as we continue strengthening our institution and improving the services we provide.
Throughout the three-day programme, participants engaged in interactive presentations, practical demonstrations, hands-on exercises and collaborative learning activities covering a broad range of emerging digital competencies. Sessions focused on 21st Century Skills, digital workplace productivity, cyber safety, prompt engineering, AI-assisted research, responsible AI use, detection of AI-generated and manipulated media, knowledge management using AI, and offline AI solutions suitable for secure institutional environments.
A distinguishing feature of the programme was its strong emphasis on practical application. Participants worked directly with a variety of AI-powered tools to learn how they could improve report writing, official correspondence, information analysis, digital content verification, planning and organizational efficiency while maintaining appropriate human oversight and ethical decision-making. Demonstrations of offline AI technologies also illustrated how AI can be deployed securely within institutions that handle sensitive information.
The programme resulted in notable improvements in participants’ confidence and ability to use digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence in their daily work. Participants reported gaining practical skills that would enable them to streamline administrative processes, improve communication, support evidence-based decision-making and enhance the delivery of correctional and rehabilitation services.
I can now write project proposals and reports with AI assistance and detect AI-generated media. This training has strengthened my professional skills and increased my capacity to perform my duties more effectively.
Training Participant
To promote the sustainability of the initiative, participants developed departmental action plans identifying practical opportunities to integrate newly acquired digital and AI competencies into their respective areas of work. The programme also produced a reusable UNESCO training package and practical learning resources that can support future capacity-building initiatives within the Zanzibar Correctional Facility.
READ MORE: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-strengthens-digital-and-artificial-intelligence-competencies-zanzibar-correctional-officers?hub=701
