adminoffering such courses.
Despite reports purporting that Zimbabwe has one of the highest literacy rates in Africa of 92 percent, this reputation is fast being eroded due to the lack of quality assurance in education, which indigenisation and the Ministry of Higher Education have not fully embraced.
The Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (Zimche) was established to safeguard the quality of education and the protection of the Zimbabwean public from sub-standard education and worthless certification, and for Zimbabwe to maintain its reputation as a provider of high quality education.
Zimche is a component of the National Council of Higher Education Act, Chapter 25/08, and is comprised of academic advisors. Some of the critical areas that would be examined in higher education include: study programmes at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, institutions, academic qualifications of lecturers, structure of courses and degree programmes.
There have been reports of institutions that have inadequate learning material for effective degree programme delivery to students.
The length and depth of learning programmes need to meet set world standards.
Part of the responsibilities of Zimche is to correct the historical imbalances inherent in the education system, and to propel socio-economic development, guaranteed by sustainable quality in university education.
Some of the causes for the decline of standards of education have been attributed to a the steady economic meltdown which began in the year 2000, and resulted in the mass exodus of highly educated and experienced personnel/human resources.
The failure to sustain traditional quality assurance procedures in institutions of high education was noted across the academic milieu.
Also noted was a reduction in research activities and production of new knowledge.
The non-engagement of external examiners and invigilators due to reduced funding in institutions of higher learning contributed to the lowering of standards.
Zimbabwe boasts 14 universities, nine polytechnics and 15 teacher training colleges. Yet within these institutions, there are very little comprehensive arts and cultural syllabi and curriculum.
It has been noted that the unprecedented demand for university education prompted many minor universities to increase their enrolments without necessarily increasing the appropriate facilities, infrastructure and professional staff required in order to establish a robust and all-encompassing education.
Zimche is a supervisory body for education, created through an act of Parliament, Chapter 25:27, which was promulgated in 2006, to repeal the National Council for Higher Education Act.
Chapter 25:08) requires Zimche to register and accredit institutions of higher education.
It is this writer’s humble opinion that it is pertinent that this body of men and women of letters take into account the paltry and inadequate standard of education hitherto proffered in the arts and humanities.
A sustainable strategic formula needs to be articulated to resuscitate and reinvigorate the arts education system.
l Dr Tony Monda holds a PhD in Post-Modern Art Theory and a Doctorate in Business Administration( DBA) in Post-Colonial Art and Heritage Studies. He is also a practising artist, designer, art critic and corporate image consultant.
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