adminNqobile Tshili Chronicle Reporter
THE Minister of State for Liaising on Psychomotor Activities in Education and Vocational Training, Cde Josiah Hungwe yesterday challenged educationists to discard the mentality of producing academics without practical life skills.
He urged them to develop entrepreneurial skills in pupils at a tender age.
Speaking at Ihlathi High School in Bulawayo after touring the school’s practical subjects’ workshops, Cde Hungwe said schools should develop graduates who would not seek employment but make a living using their own hands.
“Our education system is a limping goat as we are producing academics that cannot get jobs. Teach them practical subjects so that they acquire the knowledge that would enable them to be self reliant,” he said.
Cde Hungwe said academic teaching without life skills was not sustainable.
“Being educated has to do with what you can do. It has nothing to do with the number of degrees you might have acquired,” said Cde Hungwe.
He challenged the public to come to terms with practical courses, saying they were a key component in terms of community development.
“A better community is a community with people who are independent and can produce products that can lead to self sustainability,” said Cde Hungwe.
The minister’s tour was aimed at assessing the state of vocational training centres and appreciating their challenges with the view of helping them fulfil their mandate.
School authorities at Ihlathi High said they were facing challenges as their practical subjects’ machinery was outdated and dysfunctional. The school offers Woodwork, Metal work, Fashion and fabrics, Foods and nutrition, Computers and Agriculture.
Cde Hungwe pledged to engage captains of industry to help source funds to buy new machinery for schools.
Online Reporter