Z’bar surpasses CCM’s election manifesto implementation

ZANZIBAR: ZANZIBAR government has already surpassed Chama Cha Mapinduzi’s (CCM) 2020/2025 election manifesto in the construction of education infrastructure, President Hussein Mwinyi declared here on Monday.

“We have invested heavily in the education sector; it’s one area where the eighth phase government has excelled…we have surpassed the election manifesto,” Dr Mwinyi told a mammoth public rally at Donge Primary School grounds in North Unguja Region.

Speaking after laying the foundation stone for a two-storey modern primary school, the president said the government is determined to transform education sector through the construction of modern and supportive infrastructures for comfortable learning.

“The target is to have one learning shift with classrooms of 45 pupils because the two shift system under crowded classrooms is counter-learning,” President Mwinyi said, pledging recruitment of more teachers especially for science and mathematics subjects to all schools in the islands “, adding that Zanzibaris deserve quality education for their children.”

Speaking at the event, Minister of Education and Vocational Training Lela Muhamed Mussa, said the government has executed projects on educational infrastructure measuring 15 years ahead of the ruling party’s election manifesto.

“The manifesto for instance demands construction of 1,500 classrooms in the five-year period but within three years we have built over 3,000 classrooms,” she boasted, imploring parents to ensure their children study heard and excel in their studies.

“We owe Dr Mwinyi’s dedicated efforts to the country development, especially in education sector and the only way to reward him is for our children to study heard and excel, academically,” said Minister Lela.

Earlier, briefing President Mwinyi on the project, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Khamis Abdulla Said, informed the cheering gathering that the government has invested 4.5bn/- in the construction of the modern primary school, which will have the capacity to accommodate 1,305 pupils through 29 classrooms of 45 pupils each.

Besides the classrooms and teachers’ offices, the school will have computer lab; science laboratory; examination hall and other essential amenities for comfortable learning. “We are in the process to procure furniture and the plan is to open the school by January next year,” said the permanent secretary.

Meanwhile President Mwinyi yesterday announced the government’s plan to elevate all district hospitals to a referral status to improve health services in the country and reduce congestion at Mnazi Mmoja Referral hospital.

He said all district hospitals will be adequately equipped to provide all essential and quality services like laboratory, x-ray and ultrasound tests, among others. The president was speaking at the launch of Kivunge district hospital in North Unguja region

Dr Mwinyi has embarked on a countrywide tour of all regions to inspect and launch development projects as part of celebrations to mark his three productive years in the country’s most authoritative office.