Announcing Form VI exam results from Zanzibar a positive gesture

-the effect that education isn’t a Union matter, or that Zanzibar has its own educational authorities to make that announcement. The gesture was right as recognition and accreditation of academic, educational or professional examinations is a Union matter, and thus Zanzibar is an integral sphere of those results.

As a matter of fact the gesture by NECTA Executive Secretary Dr Charles Msonde wasn’t entirely of his imagination and courage, but a follow up on an initiative by President Dr John Magufuli in that same regard. The president had occasion earlier this year or thereabouts to express concerns as to Zanzibar schools scoring lowly in national examinations, wishing that the matter be examined a bit closely. There were steps that followed in that direction, some rectification measures showing that the president’s appeal had not fallen on deaf ears, and indeed illustrating that authorities have taken note of its significance.

While exam results aren’t meant to put regions against other regions, or zones in the country against other zones, it is still of pivotal significance where a region falls in the pass out parade, as it were. The main lines of contention are usually girls vs boys, with a note taken each year (each announcement of results) who led the pack between the two competing gender classes. Another sphere of contention is public (often called government) schools vs privately run schools, and this slant was also on notice this year.

Making the formal announcement of examination results in Zanzibar was by and large meant to kindle the wish that Zanzibar should in future be part of the top ten schools, or at some point one or more of its candidates appear on the top ten. As Zanzibar has a population of slightly over one million people, its portion of national examination candidates is rather tiny, but it is evident that even from a small number of entrants one or two especially remarkable performances can be registered from that side as well. In its environment Zanzibar is close to coastal regions, and there were two top ten schools from Coast Region, one a government school and another a private school, in which case there is no overall ‘coastal problem.’

For some logistical and organizational reasons, countrywide comparisons are possible only in school examination results, largely the totals for primary schools and wider comparisons for secondary schools and high schools. No college results are compared at the national level as each sets own exams and only invites external examiners to help oversee that there is no problem of standards, etc. When such a situation arises and is pursued year in year out without major changes, authorities are then compelled to close down such facilities, not continue to offer disjointed education to hapless students or rather clients.

It is from secondary schools and by extension from primary schools that good material for colleges is prepared, and through this process, even the competence of the teaching staff. Each level of education recruits the best passes to be retained for teaching. If secondary schools are lowly, the system fails.