TEA launches education infrastructure projects in Zanzibar with UNICEF support

By Our Correspondent, Zanzibar

The Tanzania Education Authority (TEA), in partnership with UNICEF Tanzania, has officially launched a series of education infrastructure projects across Zanzibar aimed at improving learning environments for students. 

The initiatives, implemented through the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (MOEVT), target the construction and renovation of classrooms, science laboratories, and sanitation facilities.

Through this collaboration, TEA and UNICEF have allocated TZS 2.5 billion for upgrades in 20 schools, with 11 located on Unguja Island and nine on Pemba Island. 

Speaking at a planning session on the projects, TEA Director General Dr. Erasmus Kipesha said construction is expected to begin by the end of January and be completed before June 2026. 

He noted that the projects are designed to ensure students study in safe, modern, and health-friendly environments, adding that TEA, as a Union-level institution, considers the development of Zanzibar’s schools a core part of its mandate.

Dr. Kipesha highlighted that TEA’s partnership with MOEVT has been a key driver of the successful implementation of previous education projects, helping to enhance the quality and accessibility of schooling in Zanzibar.

MOEVT Secretary General, Mr. Khamis Said, praised TEA’s contributions, noting that the investments have encouraged other stakeholders to support educational development. 

He added that many of the targeted schools were previously in poor condition, and the planned renovations and new constructions are expected to motivate students and improve academic performance.

“TEA’s ongoing support is critical, and we are committed to managing the implementation of all projects efficiently to ensure they deliver tangible benefits for education,” Mr. Said said.

Currently, TEA continues to oversee multiple infrastructure initiatives in Zanzibar, including ongoing vocational training facilities funded with TZS 3.2 billion, while the latest TZS 2.5 billion allocation focuses specifically on classrooms, laboratories, and sanitation facilities.