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eventually flying beyond Zimbabwe’s borders.
Children from all over the country are up for a big surprise this year with the introduction of aviation training in schools at all levels.
The project co-ordinator of the aviation training initiative, Mrs Tendayi Moyo who spoke to Cool Lifestyle, shared how they were aiming to use the Aviation Training Programme to generate interest in science subjects among young people.
“Children need to understand why they do science subjects like mathematics, science and geography at school. That way they will find out its relevance in different careers. We are also trying to promote technological development in them so that they can succeed in today’s world,” said Mrs Moyo.
Mrs Moyo made reference to the test programme conducted last month at the Celebration Centre in Borrowdale.
“Over 30 youngsters, some of them from as far as Rusape, Marondera and various parts of Harare took part in our first ever week-long Kids Aviation Training during the holiday.
“What we gathered from the training was that the young children are starved of the chance to learn about flying and therefore most of them do not consider it an option when they are choosing careers,” she said
Mrs Moyo further explained that the programme has for long been on the drawing board, but this year they are going to mplement it. She said they are working with professionals in the aviation field to make sure children are taught the correct thing.
“Just like the test programme in December, the children will have theory as well as practical lessons to help them understand better. At present, plans are underway to engage local schools in the programme. The Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture has given us the nod so all is now in place,” she said.
One of the trainers, a former engineer with Air Zimbabwe, Mr W. T. Gandire, gave an insight into the importance of aviation training for young people.
“Our vision is to get Zimbabwe’s youngsters not to limit themselves when it comes to choosing careers. With the help of Air Zimbabwe, we demonstrated to the kids everything to do with flying, the different sections of a plan, the wings, engines, horizontal stabilisers, wind flaps and a lot more.
Although lives were changed, more needs to be done to reach out to other students hence the need to take it into schools,” he said
Mr Gandari also reiterated that he was happy with the turnout of the youths who participated during the training.
“The training was dominated by girls of all ages and for us it is very encouraging. There are very few female pilots in our country and we hope when we finally take the programme into schools, we encourage the girls to take centre stage as well,” he said.
Mike Muneka, a diesel plant engineering student from Ruwa, applauded the initiative saying it wasan eye-opener for the younger generation.
“Young people will be motivated to set their standards higher in life because of such life- changing experiences. Just like I did in when I took part in the week-long training, they can realise the broad career opportunities like pilots, air attendants, aircraft engineers and traffic controllers.
“All along we have been living with the idea that aviation is not for us but the elite only, but that is not the case at all,” he said.
According to a geography teacher from a local college, children stand to benefit as well by learning about the environment, considering that the aviation sector is among the polluters of the environment.
“The teens taking part will benefit a great deal from the initiative because a course like aviation gives a holistic approach while encompassing the majority of the subjects like mathematics, geography, physics and others that are taught in high school,” he said.
Online Reporter