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Freeman Razemba Senior Reporter
Government is reviewing technical-vocational subjects offered in schools to ensure that knowledge and skills given to learners are credible and effective. Primary and Secondary Education Minister Lazarus Dokora said there was need to increase the number of technical-vocational subjects on offer.
He said from statistics of candidates who wrote examinations last year, these subjects had few takers.
“There are subjects which have low candidatures such as music (211 candidates), Food and Nutrition (4 874), computer studies (1 533), business studies (3 633), and home management (43).
“These technical-vocational subjects are meant to give candidates real life skills and enhance the transition from school to the world of work for many who do not proceed with further education,” Minister Dokora said.
He said it was important to note that the roadmap for a curriculum review was now in place.
“Learners need to be put through an education system that makes them learn and not mere rote learning for examinations,” Minister Dokora said.
He said they had identified challenges like non-availability of teachers with necessary competencies.
Minister Dokora said many schools had computers but were not offering associated studies.
“We will embark on a comprehensive, holistic approach to enhance the teaching and learning of computer studies and other technical-vocational subjects such as agriculture, woodwork, home economics, etc,” he said.
The minister said the ministry was also working to ensure all those who desired to write examinations did so without hindrance.
Minister Dokora said the ministry had planned to strengthen its research capacity adding that all issues that impact on the education of their learners should be addressed with the aid of research-based evidence.
Online Reporter