DEPUTY Speaker of the Zanzibar House of Representatives, Mgeni Hassan Juma has tasked education stakeholders to ensure Zanzibar’s education meets high standards and aligns with global expectations to meet the needs of the youth.

Juma made the call yesterday during the sixth graduation ceremony of the Microtech Institute of Business and Technology, held at Mjembe Kisonge grounds.

She stated that there is a need for the private sector to collaborate with the government to find solutions to various community challenges, particularly in education, and create programmes or courses that will add value to the national development.

She emphasised that in order to achieve the goals of establishing such educational institutions, it is crucial for teachers to take the leading role in ensuring that innovation is prioritised.

She also mentioned that college instructors are responsible for teaching students entrepreneurial skills for self emplyment rather than waiting for government employment.

"The culture of entrepreneurship must be integrated into the entire educational process to empower learners to create their own employment," she said.

She added that some students at the institute have already started registering their own companies with guidance from experienced instructors, the step that is commendable and should be emulated by other students.

"This culture of mentorship by experienced teachers must be sustainable because it is through this that we will be able to foster job creation through self-employment and the employment of other young people," she said.

She highlighted that Zanzibar’s development will be achieved if there is skilled workforce with experience in various fields, particularly in education, which benefits society and the nation as a whole.

She pointed out that all sectors of the economy and require highly skilled professionals to promote growth of industries and service productivity.

He also noted that graduating students will still have the opportunity to continue with their studies to keep up with the job market.

Head of the institute, Farihiya Mohammed Ali, stated that a total of 240 students have completed their training in various fields, including cooking, tailoring, procurement and information and communication technology.

She mentioned that despite the significant successes achieved by the institution, it faces the major challenge of not being involved in policy changes according to the current needs.

Reading s speech on behalf of her fellow students, Zulfa Mohamed Ali, said that the institution has been a major resource for youth to learn various skills and get opportunities in the competitive job market.