Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
A TOTAL of 192 young women and men have been enrolled at six tertiary institutions under the FAWE-Mastercard Foundation Phase II Programme as the Government moves to expand alternative pathways for marginalised youths.
The beneficiaries are studying at Harare Polytechnic, Gweru Polytechnic, Mutare Polytechnic, Bulawayo Polytechnic, Kwekwe Polytechnic and Belvedere Technical Teachers College.
Speaking at a joint monitoring visit of the programme in Harare on Wednesday, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Professor Fanuel Tagwira said the initiative was complementing Government efforts to make tertiary education more inclusive.
“To date, 192 young women and men have been enrolled across six institutions — Harare Polytechnic, Gweru Polytechnic, Mutare Polytechnic, Bulawayo Polytechnic, Kwekwe Polytechnic and Belvedere Teachers College,” Prof Tagwira said.
He said the enrolment was significant as it was giving young Zimbabweans who faced barriers to education an opportunity to develop their potential.
“These 192 participants represent young Zimbabweans whose aspirations and potential have been given an opportunity to develop,” he said.
Prof Tagwira said access to tertiary education should be accompanied by academic support, mentorship, financial assistance and psychological support to enable students to remain in education, complete their studies and transition into employment, entrepreneurship or further learning.
He said the Government was also prioritising the expansion of pathways into science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to strengthen the country’s human capital.
“Our ambition is to ensure that talented and capable young people who may not have followed the conventional route into STEM are provided with a structured opportunity to demonstrate their potential and progress into higher-level studies,” he said.
FAWE Zimbabwe executive director Ms Lydia Madyirapanze said the programme was being implemented in 10 African countries, including Zimbabwe and Zambia.
She said the joint monitoring visit was aimed at assessing progress made since the programme was launched in Zimbabwe in 2024 and engaging directly with beneficiaries.
“The joint monitoring visit is basically for FAWE, Mastercard Foundation, FAWE Zimbabwe, FAWE Zambia and FAWE Africa to get a fuller appreciation of the work that we have been doing in Zimbabwe since 2024 under the Phase II programme,” Ms Madyirapanze said.
The delegation visited Harare Polytechnic yesterday and is expected to visit Belvedere Technical Teachers College as part of the monitoring exercise.
Ms Madyirapanze said beneficiaries required support beyond financial assistance, including social support, mentorship and orientation.
Mastercard Foundation head of Girls’ Education Ms Hajra Zahid said the visit was intended to deepen the foundation’s understanding of FAWE’s work in Zimbabwe and learn from beneficiaries.
“We also wanted to develop a deeper understanding of FAWE’s work in the country and how we are achieving our shared mission to support young people,” she said.
Ms Zahid thanked the Government, FAWE Zimbabwe and the FAWE Regional Secretariat for supporting the partnership.
