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Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
THE government will train about 7,000 science teachers in the next two years to boost the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) initiative.
The Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development through Zimdef is paying fees for pupils who have enrolled for STEM subjects.
The ministry has reserved $4 million for Lower Sixth pupils who register for Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology at public and mission schools.
Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Godfrey Gandawa said: “We’ve a shortage of science teachers in schools. Roughly we’re looking at that in two years time if we add at least 6,000 to 7,000 science teachers then that gap will have closed,” he said.
Deputy Minister Gandawa said the teachers will be trained at local universities.
“We’ve started a teacher capacity programme through Bindura University of Science Education and National University of Science and Technology (Nust) as well Zimbabwe Open University to train the teachers in the sciences so that we enhance the capacity of teachers who will teach science to complement the STEM initiative,” he said.
Deputy Minister Gandawa said Bindura was leading in the enrolment of teacher capacity programme.
“Bindura has enrolled 2,900 students in different streams. Last year they had 533 science teachers that graduated. We’re hoping another 900 will be graduating from Bindura University this year,” he said.
Matabeleland region is one of the hardest hit areas when it comes to shortage of science teachers.
Last year it was reported that Matabeleland North had one physics teacher.
Online Reporter