Schools, Museums implement new curriculum

Grace Nyoni Midlands Reporter
Museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enriching and developing mutual understanding of the history, especially among pupils, an official has said.

Officially opening the heritage education primary schools quiz competition regional finals hosted by the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe yesterday in Gweru, the provincial education director Mrs Agnes Gudo said museums complimented the formal education school curriculum by applying and offering learner-centred participatory methodologies.

“Museums are an important means of cultural exchange as they develop mutual understanding of the history, hence complimenting the formal education school curriculum by applying and offering learner-centred participatory methodologies in the form of research, educational tours to museums and monuments and the quiz itself,’’ said Mrs Gudo.

She said the heritage primary schools quiz competition was part of educational experiences that developed pupils in knowing about their history and national heritage.

Mrs Gudo said museums and schools should work together, especially in the implementation of the new curriculum.

“Schools and museums always work together, especially in the understanding and learning of the new curriculum,” she said.

“They are also the most important institution in the society as they transmit traditional aspects of our culture that define humanity as beneficial to the emerging generation.

“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education through its syllabi and national curriculum provides educational platforms for learners to actively interact with museum objects.

“The artefacts housed gives us an opportunity to physically reflect memories of our past.”

Eight primary schools from the Midlands Province, namely Kwekwe, CZM and Havana, both from Gokwe North, Chinyenyete and Cambrain from Shurugwi, Cecil John Rhodes and Vungu from Gweru and Murongwe from Gokwe South took part in the quiz competition, which tested their depth of knowledge of the new curriculum and the national history.

Cecil John Rhodes Primary School clinched the top prize of $150 and a floating trophy followed by Chinyenyete Primary School that won $120.

Cecil John Rhodes will proceed to the national heritage quiz competition to be held in Masvingo at the Great Zimbabwe World Heritage site on May 18.