admin
Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter
THE Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education will soon start consulting stakeholders to review the education curriculum whose tenure lapses this year.
The curriculum was implemented in 2015 as a product of recommendations made by the Nziramasanga Commission set up in 1998 under the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Education and Training (CIET).
The commission was chaired by Dr Caiphas Nziramasanga, a lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe.
Giving a keynote speech at the National Association of Primary School Heads (Naph) annual conference in Victoria Falls, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Dr Evelyne Ndlovu said the United Nations had reported that Zimbabwe’s literacy levels dropped from 95 percent to 93 percent since 2015 because of Covid-19 among other challenges.
She said the ministry was now re-doubling efforts on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy to mitigate such retrogression, especially for learners in disadvantaged schools.
“As you are all aware, our curriculum has run its course, that is from 2015 to 2022 and it’s now up for review. Pursuant to this, the ministry has interacted with all the provinces to evaluate its implementation as from 2015 to 2022. Shortly, the ministry will involve all stakeholders in the country for their input,” said Dr Ndlovu.
She said school heads have a role to mobilise their schools and communities to participate in the review process.
“Your input will also be of utmost importance since you are the people who have been implementing the curriculum hence you know the positive aspects, towards its enrichment and where you feel we should improve in transforming our education system,” said Dr Ndlovu.
More than 1 200 school heads attended the conference which started on Sunday and ended yesterday with an objective of sharing professional ideas and experiences under the theme: “Facing the future in the new normal.”
It is the first physical meeting after relaxation of Covid-19 health restrictions.
Dr Ndlovu said schools were some of the worst affected institutions by the pandemic as many cases were recorded.
She commended President Mnangagwa for successfully leading the nation through that episode and schools for adhering to the standard operating procedures, but warned against complacency as the pandemic is still lingering around.
Government introduced open and distance and catch up education strategies in schools to ensure continuity of learning.
Dr Ndlovu said there is a need to ensure that infants master the four Rs, literally drawn from “Reading, wRiting, aRithmetic and liteRacy” by her Ministry as a deliberate system to enhance literacy among learners.
Dr Ndlovu reiterated the call for schools to adhere to laid down procedures when intending to review school fees and levies.
This comes in the wake of complaints from parents and stakeholders concerning the conduct of some schools that disregard policy when reviewing school fees thereby bringing the name of the Ministry into disrepute and disrespect.
Dr Ndlovu said education is a right and no child should be disadvantaged since the issue of school fees and levies is between the parent and the school.
She said no school is allowed to withhold results for any learner for not paying fees.
No school should withdraw results from candidates for whatever reason, said Dr Ndlovu.
“As the Ministry’s frontline managers in the system, you are expected to embrace and be guided by key Government blueprints like the National Development Strategy 1(NDS1) and Vision 2030. It is therefore important that the education sector plays its part as given in the documents.
“Our education philosophy is anchored on Ubuntu/Unhu with emphasis on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), Human Capital Development and increased access to education, without leaving any pupil and school behind.
You therefore need to strive to ensure that this philosophy guides your curriculum implementation activities in the context of the Competence-Based Curriculum,” she said. — @ncubeleon
Online Reporter