Updated 27 September 2011

In 2008-2009 The World Federation of KSIMC partnered with The Africa Federation and the KSI Mombasa Jamaat began to develop an educational plan that would endeavour to support current provision, fine-tune existing systems and introduce new bespoke programmes that would secure educational excellence throughout the four community schools across East Africa. By the Grace of the Almighty this novel initiative has been running for three years after its inception and is now ready for the second phase of the transition. The first trip was conducted by Dr Mahmood Datoo and Aqil Datoo in April 2009 at the Jaffery Academy in Mombasa. The focus was to establish links and run two projects based around student study skills and university entrance. The second and third trips were conducted by Arif Hasham at the Jaffery Academy Mombasa in April 2010, and the Al-Muntazir Academy Dar es Salaam in 2011 (here participants included members of school leadership from Jaffery Nairobi and Jaffery Mombasa). The premises for these two trips were to conduct bespoke teacher training seminars and leadership programmes. The topics comprised aspects of Emotional Intelligence, Assessment, Continuing Professional Development, Performance management and Strategic Planning to name a few.

As part of a joint partnership between The World Federation and AFED, Terence Ward, popularly known as Terry has visited our community schools in E. Africa on 2 separate trips so far. The first trip in September 2009 and a follow on visit was made in May 2011 but this time Terry visited all the Bilal schools in E. Africa with the following objectives:

1. To re-visit the schools in both Tanzania and Kenya to evaluate the progress since the baseline study.
2. To visit the Bilal establishments to evaluate the work they are doing and assess any assistance that needs to be given to them in order to help them to continue to raise the quality of the education they deliver.
3. To conduct workshops as appropriate to share good practice.
4. To recommend to each board possible courses of action they might want to take to consolidate and develop the educational support they are current giving.
5. To conduct a baseline study of the schools supported in Uganda

The board of each school visited was given a confidential report about the perceived state of the quality of teaching and learning observed.  The report included some recommendations that might help their development and which they have been asked to consider.  It was not the purpose of these reports to tell schools how they should do their business but to describe what was seen and evaluate how that impinges upon the quality of the work done.  The hope was that the recommendations will open a debate within the schools about raising quality.

Those schools visited previously were provided with follow up notes building on the original report.  The evidence for these comments and recommendations came from a variety of sources such as looking at the paperwork produced in each school, reviewing public examination results, sharing in the daily routines of the schools, detailed discussions with stakeholders and most importantly observing the practice of teachers in the classroom.

Due to the intricate nature of the project and the need for tailored programmes, dialogue with the school’s leadership teams and governance has been of paramount importance. As such a very supportive network has been established that includes Mahmood Dhala (World Federation Education Assistant Secretary General, UK), Nishathusein Karim (Hon. Secretary K.S.I. Education Board, Mombasa/Chairman – Africa Youth Network), Samir Habib (Africa Federation EBS Chairman – Dar es Salaam), Mahmood Versi (Principal Al-Muntazir Academy – Dar es Salaam) and Sh. Shahnawaz Mahdavi (Principal Al-Muntazir Academy – Dar es Salaam) and Arif Hasham (Teachers Training Instructor/Schools Evaluation – UK) . The need now arises to widen this network across our worldwide communities to enlist talented and inspirational professionals to become actively involved into realising the shared vision set four years prior. One of the milestones of the second phase of this project is to involve the Jaffery Academy Nairobi and the Jaffery Academy Arusha schools.

The project has strived to reinforce and introduce strategies with the most significant impact being upon students educational outcomes. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to make a striking impact to the lives of numerous individuals. It is in this regard that we are seeking ambitious professionals would who like to be involved in supporting transformational change for our children on a pure voluntary basis. The best platform for education to flourish is when educationalists work with and alongside non-educationalists. Individuals from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply and enrich the existing team. If you have been invigorated by what you have read and are eager to learn more please write to us at education@world-federation.org.

Please note that we are keen to hear from professionals internationally who are willing to volunteer their time be in remotely or travel to Africa and help our schools.