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THE embarrassing results recorded by schools particularly in the rural provinces of Matabeleland are a worrying reality that calls for a speedy remedy.In the past week we have been inundated with calls from parents complaining about the poor results in schools.
On Wednesday last week we carried a story of shocking results in Gwanda District where six schools recorded a zero pass rate in the 2013 Grade Seven examinations. Shockingly, officials said there was an improvement compared to 2012 when 16 of the 107 schools in the district failed to produce a single pass.
The 2013 six schools of shame were identified as Glass Block 2, Gobadema, Matshetsheni, Ngoma, Tshongogwe and Zelezele.
As if that was not enough on Wednesday angry parents from Msithi Primary School in Filabusi summoned the school authorities for a meeting where they called for the removal of the headmaster following poor results as only one pupil passed with an aggregate of 15 units. The rest failed.
To make matters worse a majority of pupils at secondary level reportedly cannot read and write properly.
In short they are illiterate despite having spent more than seven years at school.
With such shocking reports we wonder whether there is still any learning taking place at our schools and if there is any why such shameful results.
It is a fact that there is laxity at our schools resulting in little learning taking place.
Most headmasters are not monitoring teachers to see to it that they meet their targets.
Nowadays pupils go for weeks without writing assignments and if they write they are not marked.
Education officers are also to blame because they do not visit schools to check whether there is any learning taking place.
Most officers are spending the greater part of their time either relaxing in their offices or doing their private business at the expense of poor children who are thirsty for education.
It is against this background that we call for full scale investigations into the perennial poor results in our schools. Those found wanting should be punished as the Bible also says it in Matthew 7:19 that “Every tree which does not give good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire.”
While taking into cognisance the challenges facing the country’s education system, mediocrity of a zero percent pass rate is unacceptable.
School heads and their staff must come up with measurable targets and strive to meet the set targets.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education should take the concern of poor results seriously and bring to book those who are not doing their work.
The government should also enhance quality education by awarding competitive remuneration to teachers, building more schools and availing more resources to the education sector.
Parents should also take a keen interest in the education of their children and do everything within their means to support them.
They should not shy away from engaging teachers and checking where their children are doing schoolwork.
They should not leave everything to the teachers and the government.
In a globally competitive world we are in, education is key towards achieving concrete socio-economic development and the performance of our pupils has a bearing on the country’s future.
Online Reporter