The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar has launched a major education project aimed at giving children a better and more comfortable learning environment by ending classroom shortages and the double-shift school system.
President Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi officially opened Muungano Primary School in Kibanda Maiti on December 27, 2025, during celebrations to mark the 62nd Anniversary of the Zanzibar Revolution. The new school is part of a wider government plan to build multi-storey schools in areas where land is limited.
For many years, pupils in Zanzibar have been forced to attend school either in the morning or afternoon because classrooms were not enough.
The government says building schools upwards is the best solution to ensure all children learn at the same time in a safe and supportive environment.
So far, the Eighth Phase Government has completed 35 multi-storey schools across Unguja and Pemba. To expand the programme, the government has signed a TZS 240 billion agreement with CRDB Bank to build 29 more schools, which will benefit thousands of families.
More schools are also planned under a World Bank project, including areas such as Fuoni Kibondeni, Jumbi and Chunga in Unguja, and Kiuyu Minungwini, Mchanga Mdogo and Micheweni in Pemba.
From 2026, the government will use its own funds to construct 18 additional schools in densely populated areas like Jang’ombe, Mikunguni and Mtoni Kidatu.
The newly opened Muungano Primary School was built at a cost of TZS 6.1 billion by FUCHS Construction. The three-storey building has 42 classrooms and can accommodate 1,890 pupils, helping to reduce overcrowding and improve the quality of education in the area.
President Mwinyi said education remains the government’s top priority, with plans to increase the sector’s budget to TZS 1 trillion. He also announced steps to improve digital learning in public schools.
In the 2025/2026 financial year, the government will connect 70 schools to fibre-optic internet, provide 2,000 desktop computers and 4,000 laptops, and introduce 25 Smart Classrooms, allowing students to learn using modern technology.
To ensure pupils receive proper guidance, the government has recruited 1,741 teachers in the 2024/2025 financial year and recently employed another 492 teachers. More teachers will be hired, with a target of 1,500 new recruits in 2025/2026.
With Zanzibar’s population growing at about 3.7 percent each year, the President said building multi-storey schools is necessary to secure the future of children and give every pupil a fair chance to succeed.