Language education, a driver for national development, says education official

LANGUAGE education is a critical driver of national development and global opportunity, deputy provincial education director for Bulawayo province, Mr Thabani Sibanda, has said.

Mr Sibanda, made the remarks during a graduation ceremony where 127 learners received internationally recognised French qualifications at the Bulawayo Large City Hall on Friday.

The learners were awarded Diplôme d’études en langue française (DELF) certificates, an international standard that validates French language proficiency.

Mr Sibanda said language learning is the “engine” that powers cross-border engagement.

“Language is the foundation of communication, and communication is the engine of opportunity. By learning French, these learners are being equipped with a powerful skill that enables them to engage across borders in trade, diplomacy, and international relations,” he said.

He added that such initiatives align with the Government’s drive to produce global citizens capable of contributing to the country’s Vision 2030.

“French is spoken across continents and plays a critical role in global engagement. These learners are emerging global citizens who are being prepared to contribute meaningfully to national development in an interconnected world,” said Mr Sibanda.

Speaking at the same occasion, Bulawayo Mayor Councillor David Coltart said the programme was breaking barriers for children from diverse backgrounds.

“Language is a bridge that connects people, cultures, and economies. What Fletech Institute Trust has done is to open doors for children, giving them access to opportunities that were previously out of reach. It ensures that a child from any background can now compete globally on equal footing,” said Cllr Coltart.

The Director of Alliance Française de Bulawayo, Mr Guillaume Ripaud, noted that the DELF qualification is a globally standardised diploma.

“This is not a local examination, but an international diploma written by candidates in cities such as New York, New Delhi, and Tokyo. Zimbabwe continues to show remarkable commitment to education, and the level of performance here is impressive,” he said.

Fletech Institute Internationale director and co-founder, Mrs Bevy Tatenda Zinyengere, revealed that the institution has seen a massive jump in academic performance.

“We have recorded significant improvement, with pass rates rising from 68 percent to 97 percent this year. We follow a structured progression starting with DELF Prim A1.1 for primary learners, progressing to DELF A1 Junior and A2 Junior for advanced students,” she said.

Mrs Zinyengere said the institute, established in 2020 by former Hillside Teachers’ College lecturers, aims to revolutionise education by aligning with the Heritage-Based Curriculum.

“We specialise in a diverse range of foreign languages including French, Mandarin, and Spanish, alongside local languages such as IsiNdebele, Shona, and Tonga. This fosters connectivity and belonging, whether one is travelling abroad or welcoming foreigners to Zimbabwe,” she said.

The institute caters to learners from Early Childhood Development (ECD) to Form Six.
Mrs Zinyengere noted that the programme offers international accreditation that enhances students’ professional prospects globally while promoting technological literacy and innovation.

The ceremony marked the institute’s second graduation since its inception, reflecting a growing appetite for multilingualism in Bulawayo.