The primary and secondary education system in Zanzibar is slightly different from that of the Tanzanian mainland. On the mainland, education is only compulsory for the seven years of primary education, while in Zanzibar an additional three years of secondary education are compulsory and free. Students in Zanzibar score significantly less on standardized tests for reading and mathematics than students on the mainland.
tHe prImary anD SeCondaRy eduCATiON system in ZanzibaR is slIGhtly differENt From tHat of the tAnzAniAn mAinland. oN thE mAiNLand, educaTiON Is OnlY cOMPUlsORy for the sEVEN yeaRS of primARy education, WHile IN zanzibar An adDitional ThRee yEArs Of sEConDary eduCAtION ARe ComPuLSory And freE. stUdeNTs in zaNZibAr sCorE signifiCanTlY lESs oN staNdarDIzed tests foR reAdinG And mathematiCS thaN studentS on thE MAInLand.