Online Reporter
Remember Deketeke and Anesu January
Graduates from Seke Teachers’ College have been encouraged to embrace innovation and inclusivity as part of Zimbabwe’s industrialisation agenda.
At the college’s 38th graduation ceremony, Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Simelisizwe Sibanda, said it was important to turn educational prototypes into market-ready solutions.
This aligns with President Mnangagwa’s declaration of 2025 as the “Year of Commercialisation”.
“Education is not just about textbooks; it is about shaping industries and driving economic transformation,” said Deputy Minister Sibanda.
He praised the college’s initiatives, such as the Chabvuta Graduate-Led Schools Project and agribusiness ventures like pumpkin instant porridge, highlighting their potential to create jobs and spur development.
Deputy Minister Sibanda also reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to inclusivity, noting investments in workshops, STEM laboratories and assistive technologies to ensure equal access to education.
“Inclusivity is not an option; it is a necessity,” he said, reiterating the Second Republic’s mantra of leaving no one behind.
The ceremony revealed a significant gender disparity among the 662 graduates, where 621 were female and 41 male.
This prompted Deputy Minister Sibanda to call for renewed efforts to attract more men to the teaching profession.
“Education is the heartbeat of a nation, and we must ensure balanced representation to strengthen our schools,” he remarked.
Further, Deputy Minister Sibanda urged institutions to promote the Government’s Work for Fees Programme, which has helped 16 students overcome financial barriers to higher education.
He encouraged Seke Teachers’ College to collaborate with innovation hubs in State universities to commercialise groundbreaking projects.
He hailed the graduates as “architects of Zimbabwe’s progress” and reminded them of their mission to create a knowledge-driven nation.
“Blend tradition with technology, embrace innovation, and foster inclusive classrooms where all students thrive,” he advised.
“After the ceremony, overall best student Olivia Mazorodze expressed gratitude to her grandparents for their unwavering support. These are the champions behind every success story that I have achieved,” she said.
Mazorodze said the college has equipped students with skills beyond a certificate, including critical thinking, leadership, and problem-solving abilities.
She called for increased investment in Higher and Tertiary Education Institutions (HTEIs) and urged a full implementation of Education 5.0 to better prepare students for the marketplace. “We need to produce individuals who are relevant beyond just passing exams,” she said.
