Online Reporter
Vusumuzi Dube, Online News Editor
THE Government has embarked on a massive recruitment drive to fill in vacant posts for school inspectors, school heads and deputies in primary and secondary schools nationwide.
The initiative is aimed at enhancing efficiency and accountability within educational institutions across the country.
In total the Public Service Commission (PSC) has opened 419 school inspectors’ positions, 1 137 school heads and 843 deputy heads posts countrywide.
According to a Vacancy circular number one of 2025 from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, female candidates and people with disabilities have been encouraged to apply.
“Reference to the Public Service Commission’s minute referenced G/8/1/638 and dated 7 January 2025.
The Public Service Commission has granted authority to advertise the above posts internally and the ministry has since prepared an advertisement for the posts of Heads and Deputy Heads (see copy attached) for use by all Provinces.
“In view of the above, you are hereby requested to urgently post the advertisement on your noticeboards.
With regards to the posts of Schools Inspectors, you are expected to prepare your advertisements based on the requirements you submitted to Head Office,” reads part of the notice.
The recruitment drive officially began on 17 February, with aspiring candidates required to submit their applications by 7 March, with the masterlisting and shortlisting of candidates expected to take place between 10 and 12 March. Interviews are expected to take place between 24 and 28 March. According to the list, there are a total of 463 posts for secondary school heads with Bulawayo having three, Matabeleland North 47 and Matabeleland South 35.
For Secondary Deputy Heads, 100 are required nationwide with Bulawayo requiring seven, Matabeleland North 18 and Matabeleland South nine.
For primary school heads, nationwide there are 674 vacancies, with Bulawayo having 13, Matabeleland North 139 and Matabeleland South 84 posts while for deputy heads there are 755 vacancies, 41 for Bulawayo, 129 for Matabeleland North and 54 for Matabeleland South.
In terms of school inspectors, countrywide there are 419 vacancies, 34 being for Bulawayo and 39 each for Matabeleland South and North.
In Bulawayo, notable schools where there are vacancies for school heads are Mpopoma High, JW Mthimkulu Primary, Mawaba Primary, Mgoqo Primary and Mgombane Primary Schools.
For Deputy Heads in Bulawayo, vacancies are at Coghlan Primary, Inyanda High, Masotsha High, Northlea High, Sobukhazi High, St Columbu’s High and Montrose High to mention but a few. “Qualifications and experience include a Degree in Education, a certified University Graduate and a holder of a Primary Secondary Teachers’ Certificate or Diploma. Applications for ‘A level schools should be holders of a degree with a teaching subject. At least two years- experience as a Senior Teacher.
“The candidates must be prepared to reside in the district. A relevant Master’s degree would be an added advantage. Thorough understanding of the Education Act, as amended. Knowledge of the Public Service and Education regulations and procedures governing the administration of the schools. They should also have the ability to handle confidential information and good management and leadership skills and ability to work as part of a team plus good communication skills at all levels,” reads the circular.
Primary and Secondary Education communications and advocacy director Mr Taungana Ndoro confirmed the nationwide recruitment drive revealing that this was aimed at addressing the issue of having several posts being led by people in acting capacity.
He said they envisaged that the appointment of new school custodians would improve issues of accountability and efficiency within the sector.
“We are pleased about this development as we view it as an opportunity to address issues of accountability because having people in an acting capacity, it becomes difficult for them to perform to the expected standards. Further, this will also help improve the effectiveness of our system as it is much easier to monitor people who are on permanent postings.
“It was further realised that we have too many postings that are manned by people in an acting capacity, hence this is the opportunity to fill these vacancies. This is a nationwide programme and prospective candidates are encouraged to apply as we continuously work on improving the education sector,” said Mr Ndoro.
