Africa-Press – Tanzania. A rural community in Northern Tanzania has acknowledged a long-running contribution by a tourism investor to the local education sector, crediting the support with helping improve academic performance at a public primary school.
Residents of Bashay village recently noted the impact of assistance from the Mount Kilimanjaro Safari Club (MKSC) and its owner, French investor Denis Lebouteux, whose involvement spans more than a decade.
According to school officials, the support has contributed to a significant turnaround at Bashay Primary School, which recently ranked second among more than 500 public schools in Arusha Region in the 2025 Standard Seven national examinations.
Headteacher Mr Malley Elipheus said the school’s performance followed years of consistent external backing.
“For seven years, Bashay has led Karatu District in academic performance. This achievement would not have been possible without Mr Lebouteux’s support,” he said.
Mr Lebouteux’s contributions over the past 16 years include construction and renovation of classrooms, provision of water and electricity, recruitment of volunteer teachers and funding of daily student meals, according to school management.
MKSC has also funded extra-teaching sessions, which the school credits as a key driver of improved learning outcomes.
The company further planted fruit trees around the school to improve nutrition while beautifying the grounds.
Bashay ward education officer Ms Musa Kavumo said MKSC’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) work had helped offset longstanding gaps in public education funding.
“What MKSC has been doing ideally belongs to government responsibilities, yet the company chose to step in and complement these efforts. The results are clear,” Mr Kavumo said.
Official results show all 300 Standard Seven pupils at Bashay Primary passed their final exams with an average grade of A, placing the school first in Karatu district.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Lebouteux, said he hoped the school’s progress would inspire others.
“My heart is in this school. I want to see it become a model for other institutions,” he said, praising teachers for their commitment.
MKSC Director George Ole Meing’arrai said the company’s operations were guided by a commitment to sharing benefits with local communities.
“We see ourselves as a responsible tour company. Our policy is to ensure the communities where we operate also prosper,” he added.
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