ZANZIBAR: ZANZIBAR’S Minister for Education and Vocational Training, Ms Lela Mohamed Mussa, has said recently that the introduction of the Cambridge International Curriculum at Leera International School demonstrates the institution’s commitment to preparing students for the demands of a rapidly changing global environment.
The minister made the remarks while officially launching the curriculum at a ceremony held at the school’s campus in Chukwani.
She said the Cambridge curriculum is designed to equip students with critical thinking skills, creativity and independent learning abilities, competencies essential for addressing the social, economic and technological challenges of the 21st century.
Ms Mussa noted that the move aims to strengthen the quality of education and expand academic opportunities for students, while upholding core values such as ethics, discipline and accountability. She stressed that modern education should nurture learners both academically and morally.
“This launch is not merely the introduction of a new curriculum, but a significant step toward enhancing education quality and empowering students to think critically, be innovative and become independent learners,” she said.
The minister said that students following either the Cambridge or the national NECTA curriculum belong to one learning community, noting that both systems are designed to produce knowledgeable citizens with strong values and the capacity to contribute to societal development.
She commended Leera International School for integrating the Cambridge International Curriculum with the national NECTA syllabus, saying the approach offers students broader academic exposure and greater opportunities for future advancement.
According to Ms Mussa, the initiative reflects the government’s vision of providing high-quality, inclusive and competitive education at both national and international levels.
She urged schools offering international curricula to strictly adhere to established standards and continuously improve them to ensure consistency for learners worldwide.
The minister also reminded students that education goes beyond examinations and includes good conduct, discipline, integrity and personal responsibility, encouraging them to fully utilise the opportunities provided by the school.
She commended teachers, school management and parents for their cooperation, saying their collective contribution plays a vital role in students’ academic success and personal development. Ms Mussa further noted that the availability of international schools in Zanzibar reassures investors relocating to the islands, as it guarantees access to quality education for their children.
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“In the past, some investors hesitated to move to Zanzibar with their families due to limited access to international standard schools. The expansion of such institutions now enables them to find the same curricula here as in their home countries,” she said.
She also applauded Zanzibar President Dr Hussein Mwinyi for fostering an enabling environment for investment across key sectors, including education, health and trade.
Speaking at the event, the Head of Cambridge Secondary at Leera International School, Mr Ramadhan Kusaga, said the school began with the national NECTA curriculum before expanding into international education, while preserving local values.
“We believe Zanzibar comes first, and safeguarding our identity is essential. International education follows, and although Cambridge is a foreign curriculum, it offers learning comparable to the national system, with the added benefit of global recognition,” he said.
Mr Kusaga added that the subjects offered allow both local and international students to enrol in universities within and outside the country, noting that the international curriculum emphasises learner-centred teaching approaches that build confidence and global competitiveness.
Meanwhile, teacher Hadi Mohammed Abdalla said the introduction of the Cambridge curriculum was driven by the need to give parents and education stakeholders a choice between Cambridge and NECTA, both of which are competency-based.
“Since both curricula focus on skills development, our children benefit from practical learning rather than excessive classroom theory, enabling them to engage with real-life environments,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of students, Yahya Hadi applauded the school for introducing the Cambridge curriculum, noting that Leera International School has also performed well in national examinations due to its supportive learning environment.