adminRichard Muponde Gwanda Correspondent
JOSHUA Mqabuko Polytechnic College principal, Ngoni Tshuma-Moyo has bemoaned failure by students to enrol for STEM programmes after 7,000 people applied for teaching when the institution can only absorb 500.
JMN Polytechnic College offers chemistry, computer science, biology, physics, environmental health, electrical power engineering, construction engineering, automotive engineering, horticulture and animal production and teaching.
Addressing an open and career’s day attended by pupils from 56 secondary schools in Matabeleland South under the theme “Career Mapping, New Curriculum directions” on Friday, Tshuma-Moyo encouraged students to register for STEM programmes.
“We advertised for our September intake and we were shocked to receive 7,000 applications all seeking teaching posts and from that number we’re only going to enrol 500 people. So where will the 6,500 go? They’ll not even come to see us and haven’t even thought of trying our technical department which has a lot of STEMITISED programmes,” said Tshuma-Moyo.
She said it was important for students to seek alternative careers instead of just wanting to be teachers.
Tshuma-Moyo said schools and colleges should preach about STEM to support government efforts in trying to revive the economy through Science and Technology.
derick.khumalo