Online Reporter
Youth advocate and educator
I EXPRESS deep gratitude to all active citizens of our beautiful country, Zimbabwe, who make quality and inclusive education a non-negotiable priority for all children.
It was the late South African President, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, who said, “A good head and good heart are always a formidable combination, but when you add to that a literate tongue or pen, then you have something very special”.
Young children, especially those living in rural areas, in abject poverty and under rather backward parents or guardians, need to be informed promptly that education is their legal constitutional right. And like everyone else, should get a proper education. Everyone who happens to be a part of the Zimbabwean citizenry is lawfully entitled to a basic state-funded education, including adult basic education as outlined in the Zimbabwean Constitution under Chapter 4 Part 2 Section 75 subsection 1a.
No doubt, young children are the future of Africa. To invest in African children’s education is to secure both our future and theirs too. The recently commemorated International Literacy Day was relevantly themed “Promoting literacy in the digital era.” As educators and government strive to eradicate the barriers and gaps hindering access to quality education, there is need to capitalize on and utilize the conveniences ushered in by accelerating technological change. The traditional approach to delivery of educational services centered on pen and paper needs to slowly start accommodating screen and keyboard as the ideal learning environment of the future.
I would say the majority of our institutions of higher learning have already switched to this model of education delivery; hence the focus should be applied to the backbone of our education which is the primary school level. It is at this stage of children’s development that these essential skills necessary for success in the digital world should be programmed. “Catch them young!”
A quality education is not only proper and fitting for the times, but is delivered to all learners in an efficient and effective manner, easily and quickly. This is where technology chips in and eliminates slow, costly, ineffective and inefficient middlemen. The education sector represents unparalleled potential for innovation and creativity to thrive whilst contemporaneously improving educational standards in terms of delivery and outcomes.
As learners’ love for their learning environment develops, educational outcomes also improve in direct correspondence. Education still remains the only tool to prepare our children for the world which is rapidly becoming complex with each day that passes. It would be rather an unforgivable crime on our part not to deal sufficiently with the only vehicle that’s responsible for shaping our children’s minds and building our future leaders. History would never pardon us of that crime!
Growing up watching my mom going to her job as an educator really planted seeds of respect, appreciation and importance of education in me from any early age. Each time l failed to come first in my grade, she wouldn’t scold me, but encourage me to keep going. She would promise me a cool gift if l came first the next educational term and l would really get excited. At that time l was excited for the gift, but over the years l have realized that the greatest gift she has ever given to me is an education. Not just any education, but a quality education relevant and proper for the times and for a leader.
A couple of years have passed since my childhood, but the gift of education has remained with me, to be cherished and passed on to young children and my children, the future leaders. Now I wake up each day with a mission to give other kids a precious gift that they deserve. I dream that all children who have hearts and dreams like l do get the chance to live their passions and make a difference in their communities and our nation. It is stories such as these that give us something to look forward to as a nation and give us a purpose in life.
As Dr Tererai Trent rightly stated, “It is not about an ordinary individual having an extraordinary story, it is about an ordinary individual willing to make the lives of others extraordinary.” With my zeal to champion quality education and your unmatched support, together, we will emancipate many dreams.
Let us be steadfast in our pursuit of creating an Africa that’s fit for all children by 2063 (under Agenda 2063). It starts with parents who are involved and make sure that they have done all they can to send their children to notable schools in our country. It is no hoax or lie that challenges exist in our educational institutions because no system is ever perfect, but our passion for education and our unity of purpose towards a prosperous Zimbabwe will see us through!
It is left to us the gallant sons and daughters of the soil to deliver a better future for our children and our children’s children.
I rest my case!
