adminGibson Mhaka Business Correspondent
THE private sector should become more engaged in shaping and supporting national education and development through their social responsibility programmes, a business executive has said. He said the private sector often sat outside of Government-initiated development policies aimed at advancing the development of education in the country.
“Corporate stakeholders can be a powerful partner in achieving a learning agenda and overcome obstacles in education through support for innovative and data-driven programmes that can also help to tear down the existing challenges in education sector.
“Indeed for the country to maintain its status in Africa as one with well-educated and skilled workforce it is crucial for private corporates to fund the education system in the country,” said First Mutual Life Assurance Western Region Executive Mr Nkosikhona Ndlovu.
Mr Ndlovu was speaking on the sidelines of a Mathematics Whiz kid Awards Ceremony at a local hotel last week.
Mathematics Whiz Kid Competition is a competition that seeks to promote the learning of Mathematics in schools as well as encouraging young people to take up careers in Mathematics related fields.
“While more still needs to be done, including getting more companies involved, as First Mutual Life we have sown the seeds by helping shaping the development of education by sponsoring the Mathematics Whiz Kid Competition in Matabeleland although we feel the programme should spread to other regions.
“There is need by private companies to develop innovative financing strategies, including investments that are targeted to promote equitable learning in the country”.
He said it was not only the duty of the government to fund the country’s education system but private companies should also be involved through their corporate social responsibility programmes.
Mr Ndlovu said the funding initiative should involve bringing together corporate leaders around the country and enables them to identify opportunities for collaboration while advocating collectively where possible pool resources can be channelled to with the hope of improving the country’s education system.
“The private sector engagement in education is much about mobilising resources. Indeed they need to take risks that government and other actors are also taking when investing in the education sector,” added Mr Ndlovu.
Online Reporter