ZAP opens new Jambiani Community Academy

The re-building and enlargement of Mr Vuai’s premises is now completed; it has office space for ZAP and for the public internet service, all ZAP computers and office machines have been moved from the school and we have bought a number of desks, chairs and an aircon unit. A kind donor has taken out 6 computers and some IT software and promises 10 more computers in the summer.

The main function of the room, however is as a private community academy, the first of its kind in Jambiani and a brief explanation is needed of our decision to shift ZAP’s educational focus from the mainstream village school.

In retrospect, we were naïve to think that we could make a difference by working within the existing government-funded system. Systemic problems with secondary schools in rural locations are too deep-rooted and complicated to grapple with – though goodness knows, we have tried! In two subjects particular - English and Maths - standards are woefully low, and this is due to the shortage of skilled teachers. And yet from Form I onwards, lessons and exams now have to be in English. – it’s an Alice in Wonderland situation, making no sense at all.

We – and the qualified voluntary teachers we have sponsored in the past – have felt some frustration that their hard work in Jambiani skuli has not had a lasting effect. There are several reasons for this: under-funding by central government, uninspired leadership and general apathy among poorly-paid staff. Ever since ZAP has been in Jambiani, we have been aware of the ‘out of hours’ tuition being given to the brighter and more ambitious pupils who wish to progress from Form IV in the secondary school to Forms V and VI in Stone Town. Janie herself has been involved in these lessons, given by Mr Vuai and Mr Suha in dimly lit and stifling hot rooms in the evening. She was impressed by the eager enthusiasm of the pupils and the robust and effective skills of their teachers who give of their time entirely free. Furthermore, every pupil in the upper forms of Jambiani school who succeeds in passing higher examinations to Stone Town relies heavily on this extra tuition.

Last year, Mr Pandu asked ZAP to help with the expenses of children who have to go to Stone Town living apart from their families whilst attending Forms V and VI, and the pupils themselves wrote to ask us to help with exam fees. We were happy to do this, and will continue to support them for as long as is practicable – these are the seed corn, so to speak, of the community at large. All of them are thirsty for better education and each one of them has vowed to do what they can to help other children coming along behind.

All these factors, taken in conjunction with our eviction from the school computer room last October (see previous newsletter) have conspired to point to the present solution. Now there is a light, bright cool room, properly equipped, where quality teaching can be given free to those children who so desperately want and need it. Computer, IT and business skills will be taught to all ages and as an added bonus the Jambiani Fundi Workshop will have its administrative headquarters under the same roof. Public internet connection means that many tourists will visit the Academy, and this should have an excellent effect in improving further PR for ZAP.

We are fortunate to have an increasing number of applications from skilled teachers in the UK and beyond who want to spend some months helping out in Zanzibar. Now we have the premises and the infrastructure to drive this aspect of our work forward, and Mr Vuai is in communication already with several of these individuals. Already on ZAP payroll as a computer teacher for the past six years, we have complete faith in his abilities, and in his suitability to preside over the new JAMBIANI COMMUNITY ACADEMY. We believe that our support for him, for Mr Suha and for this great new facility will be amply rewarded in the future.