The foundation of a thriving society is a strong education system, and collaborative government partnerships can unlock opportunities at scale for years to come. Together, Axum, Hempel Foundation, TeachUNITED, and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, have demonstrated through Elimu-Soko how these partnerships can significantly enhance the quality of education.
Elimu-Soko is a systems change initiative, which partners with governments to understand the needs of public education systems, and then identifies innovators who can meet those needs. In Zanzibar, the identified need was teacher training, with an emphasis on coaching.
Between January and July 2024, TeachUNITED ran its pilot program in Zanzibar. This pilot project aimed to improve the skills of over 200 educators and boost math and literacy scores for more than 20,500 primary students. By the end of the program, 9x as many students scored proficient in math, and 6x as many students reached reading benchmarks.
Center the Government from Start to Finish
Government partnerships provide the infrastructure, policies, and resources needed to reach larger populations — all essential for scaling impactful educational initiatives. TeachUNITED worked hand-in-hand with the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar to co-create a six-month teacher training pilot program aimed at improving learning outcomes for primary school students.
"The class environment is very key in supporting the learning and attendance of learners, and it is the teachers who shape the behavior and success of the learners." — Khamis Said, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Vocational Training
Support the System's Most Critical Actor: Teachers
Results from the pilot show educators' comfort in using data to inform instruction increased by 28%, teacher motivation increased by 29%, 39% more teachers feel highly supported at their school, and there was a 40% improvement in feedback given in their professional learning communities (PLCs).
Today, the government is seeking funding to scale this training program, aiming to upskill 7,500 educators by 2026, ultimately improving the education of 490,000 students across Zanzibar.
Conclusion
The pilot program in Zanzibar provides a compelling example of the transformative potential of government partnerships in education. Initiatives such as Elimu-Soko show that with the right support from governments, education initiatives can scale, evolve, and create lasting impact for teachers and students alike.