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Fungai Lupande
Mashonaland Central Bureau
UNESCO chairperson Dr Lazarus Dokora has called for collaboration in improving student learning outcomes in Mount
Darwin.
The district is struggling with a poor pass rate, which slightly rose from 21,67 percent in 2021 to 23,76 percent last year.
Mt Darwin has 49 secondary schools that offer classes up to Form Four and only nine that offer Advanced Level studies, with
enrolments of 13 503 and 521 learners respectively.
Dr Dokora was speaking at the Annual District Education Conference that was held in Mt Darwin from September 26 to 27.
The conference brought together key stakeholders to discuss pertinent issues affecting the education sector in the district.
He urged youths to take advantage of short courses and diploma courses in various areas.
BUSE Vice-Chancellor, Professor Eddie Mwenje, who was represented by the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Christmas
Denhere, emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts to tackle the challenges in science education and inequities
affecting the province.
“All districts must leverage on the availability of natural resources like masau, shuma and minerals and collaborate to make use
of skills that are available at the university,” he said.
The Provincial Education Director, Dr Themba Mangwiro expressed concern over the lack of resources and said this is
adversely affecting educational outcomes in Mt Darwin.
“The under-resourced schools fall short of meeting the needs of learners, and this also poses challenges in teacher recruitment,”
he said.
Meanwhile, ZIMFEP director, Mr Gideon Chiukira said they have awarded 58 scholarships to high school learners in the
province to ensure that they have access to education.
Other issues discussed at the conference included increasing funding, training programs for teachers, and incorporating
innovative and technology-based teaching techniques (in-field blended learning).
Online Reporter