Budget boost drives education success
ZANZIBAR: ZANZIBAR’s education sector is rapidly evolving, thanks to a substantial boost in government investment that has tripled the national education budget within two years.
According to the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, the budget has grown from 265bn/- in 2023 to a record 860bn/- in 2025, an increase credited with driving unprecedented academic performance and infrastructure development across the islands.
Speaking to journalists at Mazizini, Permanent Secretary Mr Khamis Abdallah Said explained that the Eighth Phase Government under President Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi has prioritised education as a pillar for national development.
“This is a historic level of investment that is directly linked to the improved learning environment and results we are seeing today,” he said.
The increased budget has enabled the construction of 35 new multi-storey schools, easing congestion in urban areas and providing students with safer, more modern classrooms.
This year alone, the ministry plans to construct 25 additional schools in densely populated regions, particularly in the Urban West Region, to meet the growing demand driven by a national population growth rate of 3.7 per cent.
The impact on academic performance has been equally significant. In 2025, Form Six students recorded a 99.8 percent pass rate.
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Mr Khamis said improved infrastructure, teacher recruitment, and classroom resources are contributing to better outcomes, along with the return of teacher training programmes such as the reopening of Nkrumah Teachers’ College.
Absenteeism among students has also dropped, attributing the trend to the improved classroom environment and the provision of high-quality furniture.
“We’ve eliminated the zero-performance problem,” said Mr Khamis.
“Our students now learn in clean and comfortable classrooms equipped with modern desks and chairs. That alone has made a huge difference.” Higher education is also benefiting from the budget boost.
The Zanzibar Higher Education Loans Board has increased its funding from 25bn/- to 35bn/-, allowing more students to join universities.
Loans Board Executive Director Mr Umrati Suleiman Mohamed said this marks a step toward broader access to tertiary education for students from low-income families. Despite the progress, challenges remain.
The rapid rise in student numbers continues to pressure existing facilities, and the ministry acknowledges the need to expand further.
However, education officials remain confident that the strong financial commitment and policy direction under President Mwinyi will continue to drive growth and excellence in the sector.
