ZANZIBAR: PRESIDENT Hussein Mwinyi has assured that the government will continue to boost the budget for Zanzibar’s student loan scheme, so that more students have access to financial support for higher education without obstacles.
Speaking in Pemba over the weekend during the inauguration of a new three-story building at Konde Secondary School in Micheweni District, Pemba North Region, Dr Mwinyi highlighted his administration’s commitment to expanding loan accessibility.
“We’ve witnessed a rise in applications, showing that many young people are eager to pursue further education,” Dr Mwinyi said, describing this development as a milestone.
He noted that the government’s development budget for the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training has increased significantly, from 83.2bn/- in 2021/22 to 518bn/- in 2024/25, which includes increased funding for student loans.
Dr Mwinyi outlined that, as part of his administration’s achievements in the first four years, student loan funds have grown from 11.5bn/- in 2021/22 to 33.4bn/- in 2024/25, allowing the number of qualified loan recipients to rise from 4,289 to 6,060 students.
Education remains a top priority for Dr Mwinyi’s administration, which has heavily invested in infrastructure to support long-term national development. The President shared that the government has built 2,773 classrooms, surpassing the 1,500-classroom target outlined in the 2020-2025 Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) election manifesto.
“These classrooms meet global standards, each accommodating 45 students, which will soon eliminate the need for double shifts,” he added.
In addition to classroom construction, Dr Mwinyi noted the completion of 35 multi-story schools, which provide 2,037 new classrooms across Zanzibar.
The government has also prioritised science education, establishing new laboratories for Physics, Chemistry and Biology, along with the employment of 3,531 new teachers.
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At the event, Zanzibar’s Second Vice President, Hemed Suleiman Abdulla, praised the new Konde Secondary School as a valuable asset for the local community and encouraged ongoing support for Dr Mwinyi’s administration.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, Mr Khamis Abdullah Said, provided details on the school’s facilities, which include 42 classrooms, 52 toilets, a library, laboratories, storage, meeting rooms and an IT room, capable of accommodating up to 1,890 students.
Pemba’s Regional Commissioner, Salama Mbarouk Khatib, commended the progress made by Dr Mwinyi’s administration, particularly in education and infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Konde constituency’s House of Representatives member, Ms Zawadi Amour—who also serves as the Deputy Minister for Water, Energy and Minerals—expressed pride in the strides made under Dr Mwinyi’s leadership over the past four years.
“Improvements in roads, schools, elderly pensions, youth employment and economic empowerment for women have greatly benefited Konde constituency,” Ms Amour remarked, acknowledging Dr Mwinyi’s dedicated governance.
