Online Reporter
Muchaneta Chimuka
Herald Reporter
THE Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, through its department of Primary, Secondary and Non-Formal Education (PSNE), is conducting a two-day symposium in Harare to gather ideas and suggestions on how best to strengthen non-formal education from 2026 to 2030.
The symposium, which ends today, is running under the theme: “NFE: Unlocking Potential, Transforming Lives”.
Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerayi Moyo highlighted the importance of non–formal education, whose agenda is to ensure inclusivity and equity in the education sector.
“Non–formal education is an engine that offers the crucial lifelong education in line with Sustainable Development Goal number 4,” he said.
“Our vision for the future of non-formal education is to ensure that the quality of education is provided for and as a ministry, we are committed to introducing E–programmes that complement face-to-face education.
“We want to ensure that all mothers, fathers and girls and boys who are yearning for education get it for the good of our economy,” he said.
He said education is the major driver for economic growth.
“The Government introduced the Heritage-Based Curriculum for productivity’s sake and Vision 2030,” he said.
“We are working towards the implementation of the National Strategy 1 and 2, which we are going to introduce in January next year.”
Mr Gabriel Mhumha, the director for Non-Formal Education in the ministry, said non-formal education does not have any age limit because the aim is to make sure that everyone who missed education gets it.
“We have testimonies from students who had missed their education, but they managed to enrol through the non–formal education and excelled,” he said.
“Some are now working under various companies, while others own their own companies doing welding, sewing, weaving, hair dressing, brick moulding, among others.
“Some parents who missed education due to various reasons are also coming and they are now able to read and write.”
Charlotte Chishava, the programme manager for Supporting Adolescent Girls Education (SAGE), said she is training young people on various life skills to reduce dependency.
“The majority of young people whom we are assisting are women due to their vulnerability,” she said.
“Some are married at a tender age, and they lose their precious education too. We thank the Government for introducing the Non–Formal Education policy, which will see the majority benefiting.”
Some of the participants who came from all provinces of Zimbabwe include Non-Formal Education learners, teachers, school heads, schools’ inspectors, Lifelong learning coordinators, Deputy directors in charge of Secondary and Non-Formal Education, District School Inspectors, Chief Directors in the Ministry, line ministries and Development Partners among others.
