adminLuthando Mapepa
THE Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has urged all schools in the country to offer Agriculture as a compulsory subject.
It has also called for an immediate refocus on the teaching of the subject since agriculture forms the backbone of the economy.
This comes when the ministry has observed an array of gaps in the teaching and learning of the subject in most schools in the country.
Speaking to school heads and teachers at a workshop on performance improvement for secondary school heads held recently in Chipinge, Education Inspector in Manicaland Province, Mr Abson Mapfumo, pressed for an effective teaching and learning of Agriculture.
Mr Mapfumo said: “It is important to note that Agriculture is not a theoretical subject, but an Applied Science which calls for appropriate acquisition of knowledge, skills and positive attitudes.
“The noted shortcomings include gender disparity in pupils learning the subject, absence of agric projects in some schools, lack of supervision by HODs and school heads, absence of committed staff, poor syllabus interpretation, inadequate tools and unavailability of reliable water sources, among other endless factors.
“There is no gender equity in subject allocation with only boys doing Agriculture, while Fashion and Fabrics and Food and Nutrition are a territory for girls in some schools,” he said.
He also pointed the heavy use of board and chalk approach to the teaching of Agriculture rather than resorting to appropriate practical dynamics as one of the major drawbacks.
The main goal of the meeting was to encourage all heads and teachers to transform the observed weaknesses into strengths and to apply the ministry’s core values which are: commitment, integrity, empathy, teamwork and transparency.
Online Reporter