Online Reporter
Trust Freddy-Herald Correspondent
AT least 432 students have graduated from Madziwa Teachers College after completing their teacher education programmes, with Government calling for a bold shift towards digitised, innovation-driven teacher education.
The 14th Graduation and Awards Ceremony was held in Shamva, Mashonaland Central, on Thursday under the theme: ”The Industrialisation of Teacher Education through Innovation and Technology”.
Speaking on behalf of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister Dr Frederick Shava, Permanent Secretary Professor Fanuel Tagwira said: “This year’s theme speaks directly to the future we are building. It calls for a teacher education system that equips educators with digital fluency, innovative pedagogical skills, and the ability to integrate technology into every aspect of teaching and learning.”
Of the 432 graduands, 373 were female and 59 were male. A total of 224, or 51,9 percent, completed STEM programmes.
Prof Tagwira said the gender figures reflected both strength and challenge: “While this reflects the continued strength of female participation in teacher education, it also highlights a gender disparity that requires deliberate intervention.”
He also described the STEM numbers as a powerful affirmation of the growing importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics as a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s innovation, industrialisation, and sustainable development agenda.
Prof Tagwira said the goal was to produce teachers who are not merely transmitters of knowledge, but innovators, heritage custodians, researchers, and technological leaders capable of driving national development.
He added that teacher training must move to a fully digitised learning ecosystem where blended learning, virtual classrooms, Artificial Intelligence-driven learning assistants, and immersive simulations become integral to teacher preparation.
Principal of Madziwa Teachers College Mr Eddie Phiri said: “I am exceptionally proud to announce that, true to our college culture of excellence, we achieved a 100 percent pass rate for the class that had 373 females and 59 males to make a total of 432.
“Our results this year make us proud, from the class; 150 students achieved single distinctions, 46 achieved double, 18 achieved triple and 4 achieved quad distinctions. This shows that when we nurture talent and include all excellence follows.
“To the graduands: go forth not just with a certificate in your hand, but with the name of this college on your character. Be our ambassadors. Go and prove that you are products of excellence.”
