Welcome to Zanzibar Schools Project

We have been supporting children in Zanzibar since 2015. While education is free to all, the move to greater enrollment has not been matched by increasing the number of teachers or the quality of teaching. The native language is Swahili, but most subjects are taught in English, even though the teachers struggle with English. Most teachers' English language skills are no more than intermediate level.  To add to the confusion the children also learn Arabic. There are more than 50 students in most classes and teachers share textbooks. Classes consist of the teachers writing information on blackboards for students to copy into their books, supplemented by rote learning.  There’s no time or energy for class discussions or exercises to develop thinking skills.

From 2015 to 2019 Zanzibar Schools Project ran Safari English Club, an after-school English club in the village of Unguja Ukuu. Now those students are ready for the next phase of their lives and we are supporting them in further education. Students study in Zanzibar and are taking a range of courses including engineering, business studies and local government.

We also support Gasica, an inspiring young teacher. He returned from an educational visit to the UK ready for new challenges and in 2019 opened the doors of Heroes Community Academy in Founi. We encourage volunteers to visit Zanzibar and work with Gasica, improving the lives of students aged 4-24.