TeachUNITED Selected by Elimu-Soko for Project to Transform Education in Zanzibar
Our partners through the Elimu-Soko program recently announced the selection of TeachUNITED as the innovating partner for teacher training expansion into Zanzibar. We’re honored that with support from Hempel Foundation, Dalberg, Axum and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, we will expand our work within East Africa to improve teachers’ skills, motivation, and retention in the classroom as well as student achievement.
In Zanzibar, the government has significantly invested in and improved access to universal basic education in the past four years. However, teacher training remains a challenge. Many graduates from Teacher Training Colleges are not job-ready when entering the workforce, and once in the classroom, teachers do not receive adequate professional development. This challenge has direct effects on student achievement.
This pilot project aims to improve foundational learning outcomes for 20,000 students and build the capacity of 250 primary teachers to teach more effectively using contextually relevant solutions to the challenges they face every day in the classroom.
“What was particularly appealing about the TeachUNITED model for strengthening teacher capacity was a solid description of the demonstrated effect in other locations and the proven potential for scalability in the public system, including a low-cost model that can actually be sustained over time by government.”
Creating large-scale, sustainable, and community-led education transformation
Building on a long history of partnership with teachers and ministry officials in the Arusha Region of Tanzania, we’re eager to expand and adapt our program with and for the needs of primary teachers in Zanzibar. TeachUNITED Coaches will train teachers and ministry officials on a full suite of research-based strategies and help teachers strengthen their instructional practices through individualized coaching and engaging workshops. These educators will also be trained in how to coach their colleagues so that the lessons learned are shared and practiced to create large-scale, sustainable, and community-led education transformation. The pilot began in January 2024 with conclusion and consideration for scale-up in June 2024.
“When educators are supported and equipped with high-impact strategies, they transform the learning journey for their students. We’re honored to work with the teachers of Zanzibar to foster an environment where both teachers and students thrive.”
About Elimu-Soko
In the ongoing effort to tackle the learning crisis, many social entrepreneurs and education ventures are eager to help governments create systemic change within public education. However, establishing government partnerships remains a challenge for many innovators. The Elimu-Soko program is a partnership between Hempel Foundation, Dalberg and Axum to create a marketplace where innovators in education can collaborate with funders and governments to bridge gaps in the educational landscape.
TeachUNITED works with school, district, government, and NGO partners in 14 countries. Hear from other TeachUNITED partners here.