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The Herald, September 6, 1979
A PLAN for the introduction of a new examination to be known as the National Certificate of Education had been adopted, the Minister of Education, Mr Edward Mazaiwana, disclosed yesterday.
Outlining his Ministry’s policy in a “take note” motion in the Senate, Mr Mazaiwana said that the NCE would replace the existing Rhodesia Junior Certificate, the Rhodesia Certificate of Education and grades nine and eleven.
The plan was produced by the Secondary Education Development Unit which was established in December 1978, Iana report.
Mr Mazaiwana explained that the subject examination would be attempted at the end of Form Three by pupils who were not in the top stream.
Those pupils who did well would have the opportunity of attempting O Level two years later, while others would leave with a certificate showing grades obtained in different subjects.
Mr Mazaiwana said where it was educationally advisable and practicable, subjects would contain course work as well as an external written examination.
The subjects proposed for the NCE had been divided into two basic groups, he said.
The compulsory subjects were English, mathematics, science and African languages with religious education and guidance for living regarded as compulsory but not examinable.
Other subjects such as Afrikaans, history and music are optional.
The Shona and Ndebele courses would be ready for 1980 he said. In the coming months the work in publicising the new certificate would be carried out.
A teacher’s course would be essential for those teaching to thence level. One course was planned for November and in 1980, there would be many short intensive courses, he told senators.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
Leader of the UANC Bishop Abel Muzorewa knew very well that his Zimbabwe-Rhodesia regime, formed on June 1, 1979 was not recognised anywhere, just like Smith’s Rhodesia before it. As a result, the regime came to an end, six months later.
For Mazaiwana to announce far reaching changes in the education sector when the Lancaster House Conference was underway, was just grand standing, to make it look like the UANC was the political party of choice in 1979 and beyond.
It is a historical fact that following the signing of the Lancaster House Agreement in December 1979, the first ever democratic elections were held in February 1980, and independence was declared on April 18, following a bloody armed struggle against the Smith and Muzorewa regimes.
Mazaiwana’s swift policy changes in education never saw the light of day. Instead, Dr Dzingai Mutumbuka, independent Zimbabwe’s first Minister of Education oversaw major reforms that saw Zimbabwe having the highest literacy rate on the continent.
The education policies introduced by Government in1980 and beyond provided universal education, and at one point, Primary education was free.
Reforms in the education sector — both primary and tertiary are an ongoing.
Online Reporter