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Nqobile Tshili-Bulawayo Bureau
The programme of training science and mathematics teachers has been expanded at the country’s polytechnics to close the existing gaps in the education sector which has resulted in learners in some provinces going for a lengthy period without fully qualified tutors.
For years, schools particularly those in the periphery, have experienced a serious shortage of mathematics and science teachers as many leave the profession or the country after training.
This has resulted in a serious deficit of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) teachers leading to pupils performing badly in public examinations.
Schools in rural Matabeleland have been largely affected by the deficit of STEM teachers, a development that has been contributed to zero pass rates in mathematics and science subjects at some schools.
The low pass rate in mathematics and science has also seen fewer children enrolling at the National University of Science and Technology (Nust).
To address the problem, Nust introduced the schools’ enrichment programme (Nustsep), an outreach programme targeting schools in the Matabeleland region.
Government has previously resorted to employing university graduates with no teacher training as a stop-gap measure to address the shortage of mathematics and science teachers.
The Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development recently said it is targeting to train 5 000 mathematics and science teachers by 2025.
In its 2018-2023 report, the ministry said teacher training colleges that previously were not teaching science and mathematics are now teaching the subjects.
“Through this programme we have increased the number of science teachers training institutions.
In this regard, Joshua Mqabuko Polytechnic, Mkoba, Masvingo, and Marymount are capable of embarking on a dual model of training; which is to train both primary school teachers in general courses and Early Childhood Development (ECD) programmes as well as science and mathematics teachers,” reads the report.
The ministry said since it introduced the programme, there has been an increase in enrolment of mathematics and science teachers with a total of 960 mathematics and science teachers having graduated.
The report stated that 1 181 mathematics and science student teachers are still undergoing training at Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo, Masvingo, Marymount and Mkoba teachers’ colleges.
“J.M.N Polytechnic, Mkoba, and Masvingo teachers’ colleges are to enrol a prospective number of 1 000 Mathematics and science teachers,” reads the report.
While the ministry has increased the teaching of science and mathematics teachers, universities such as the Nust have devised innovations to enable the improved delivery of sciences in schools.
Nust introduced a mobile laboratory which is meant to enable access to sciences in rural areas.
“The expandable mobile laboratories are servicing secondary schools in rural areas and marginalised communities subsequently increasing access to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines,” reads the report.
In 2014, Government introduced a teacher capacity development programme at universities. Five universities were engaged as implementing partners in the programme.
The programme is aimed at upgrading teachers’ educational qualifications and enabling teachers to effectively teach science subjects that have been included in the education system in line with the new curriculum.
Teachers applying should have served for at least two years without any pending misconduct cases and aged 55 years and below.
The applicant should not be on any other programme, whether self-sponsored or scholarship. The capacitation programme covers a wide range of disciplines including sciences, mathematics, curriculum research and development, education planning, building and design, technical and vocational education, languages and humanities, information communication technology and agricultural studies at state universities.
Science programmes are being offered at the National University of Science and Technology and Bindura University of Science Education.
Agriculture programmes are being offered at Lupane State University while ICT programmes are being offered at Midlands State University.
The University of Zimbabwe is offering a Bachelor of Education in Building Technology while the Zimbabwe Open University is offering a post graduate diploma in education.
Online Reporter