A glimpse into Zanzibar's primary school life
Bububu, January 2021

In Tanzania, schools and kindergartens based on the pedagogic principles of Maria Montessori are increasingly being established. The Montessori School in Bububu (Zanzibar), established in 2006, represents this trend, serving as a beacon of hope for the local children. Operating on donations, school fees and volunteerism, the school fosters a holistic learning environment that honors the diverse religious and cultural backgrounds of its students. For many children, it’s a privilege to be able to attend such an institution. Often parents can only choose one of their children, because the costs for several children would be too high.

Despite this positive development, many teachers are not yet properly trained or even sufficiently familiar with the basic Montessori principle, which, in addition to working with materials, also involves the attitude of the teacher as a role model in mutual respect with the students. Especially in schools, education through violence and pressure is often still deeply rooted in the consciousness of the educators. It will certainly take some time before basic attitudes can change. However, a start has been made and through these schools a reform of the educational system in Tanzania has been initiated. This photo series shows an insight into everyday life at a Montessori school in Zanzibar: the daily dance ritual in the morning, scenes from the classroom and at lunch.