The first President of Zanzibar who is the epicenter of the Zanzibar revolution valued mental liberation because he knew that independence cannot be safeguarded without education.
Therefore he declared free education on the first year of revolution. This is a direct message that we cannot separate Zanzibar revolution from educational development.
From five secondary schools before revolution up to 318 secondary schools the people of Zanzibar have a right to celebrate the 60th revolution anniversary with much energy and joy. Educational progress in Zanzibar has not only led to presence of secondary schools but also universities.
Taking into account the geographical size of Zanzibar and the presence of three universities it is a clear indication that the Islands have gone far when it comes to education.
The good thing which adds flavor to the celebrations of Zanzibar revolution is that it was not the government that was first in establishing the university but private individuals. This is a signal that people of Zanzibar understood the meaning of introduction of free education in Zanzibar in 1964 by Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume.
Provision of education is a massive activity which demands hands of the government and private individuals. As the people of Zanzibar and Tanzanians in general commemorated the 60th anniversary of the Zanzibar revolution, the value of education in the socio-economic advancement should be highlighted. Without educational development the value of revolution is decreased.
The government of Zanzibar should extend allocations for education sector to make it more efficient in transforming the lives of people.
Due to increased interactions between the people of Zanzibar and other people of the world there are opportunities which emerge and can only be utilized by educated people.
The primary role during the struggle for independence in Africa Zanzibar been inclusive was to know how to read and write but due to advancement of the world in various aspects of life the basic education should entail acquisition of skills which can make an individual face life challenges successfully.
As the people of Zanzibar commemorated the 60th revolution anniversary the significance of education can be seen in the following considerations.
First is lesson from the Zanzibar’s education system. In the education system of Zanzibar there is a special feature which depicts seriousness in the learning process.
This is the presence of orientation secondary class. The aim of this was to consolidate language and mathematical abilities of learners. Knowing the importance of English language and mathematics in the learning process the government of Zanzibar saw that it was important to introduce the orientation secondary class.
For countries where English is the second or third language it is worthy devising some strategies to boost understanding of the language as it is indubitable that the language of instruction counts in the course of learning of learners. When commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Zanzibar revolution, the people of Zanzibar can be proud that they know the importance of mastery of the language of instruction.
Tanzania mainland can learn from the people of Zanzibar when she intends to improve her education system by considering ways of enhancing understanding of English and Mathematics subjects which have been disturbing learners causing little success in the education system. We learn from others.
Second is provision of free education in Zanzibar as a way of honouring Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume. We have been told that the best way to honour someone is by holding what he or she held firmly. Since the late Karume’s government prioritized education for the community, he placed education as a tool for emancipation of the people.
Karume opened the way in the education arena. It is the duty of the current generation to move ahead in pursuing educational excellence so as to embrace socio-economic development.
Third, education is a weapon for defending independence. According to development theorists, development enables safeguarding of independence. Development in the current era cannot be thought of without placing education at the centre. Sheikh Abeid Amani Karum knew beyond any doubt that his people cannot retain the independence he had gained for them without making them knowledgeable through provision of free education.
Fourth, education boosts’ the tourism sector. Tourism contributes 27 percent of Zanzibar’s GDP and 80 percent of its foreign exchange earnings. For tourism which is the pillar of Zanzibar’s economy, advancing education must be given first priority.
The government of Zanzibar needs educated individuals to provide services to tourists. People like tour guides must be conversant in international languages which must be taught in school. This shows that it is impossible to put aside the role of education when talking of development and safeguarding the value of Zanzibar revolution.
In the past, revolution demanded physical confrontation using guns but currently, it hugely depend on mental abilities to utilize resources surrounding human beings. Revolution is education.
The author is a teacher based in Moshi. He can be reached at lyimo.thomas@yahoo.com
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