adminZvamaida Murwira Harare Bureau
THERE is no conflict between the two government ministries that are implementing a programme to promote the teaching of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), a Cabinet Minister has said.
Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo said his ministry and that of Primary and Secondary Education were complementing each other on STEM.
Prof Moyo said this while giving a ministerial statement in the National Assembly yesterday.
He was responding to a question raised during question time on Wednesday by Tafara-Mabvuku MP James Maridadi on why there appeared to be conflict between the two ministries on STEM.
“I wish to place on record the fact that at no time did the two ministries publish or run advertisements contradicting each other,” he said.
“It’s factually incorrect to assert that such a thing ever happened.
“Whereas there have been attempts to trigger a quarrel between the two ministries, those attempts have failed. The mandates of the two ministries are very different such that they can’t be confused, but they are of course complimentary.”
Prof Moyo said implementation of STEM was meant to create a pool of science knowledgeable people as part of implementing the government’s economic blue-print, Zim-Asset.
He said public schools stood a chance to win a trip of a lifetime to Microsoft and other Silcon Valley STEM companies in the United States and this category will have 10 winners from the country’s 10 provinces.
“All high schools whether public or private that register full compliments of STEM classes will stand to win a state-of-the-art 30 seater STEM bus or $100,000 in cash to support STEM activities or infrastructure at the school,” he said.
Prof Moyo said of the $4 million earmarked to pay for tuition fees for STEM pupils, almost $32,000 had been paid.
At one stage, National Assembly Speaker Advocate Jacob Mudenda reprimanded Prof Moyo after he drew the ire of legislators when he made remarks that appeared to deride the quality of questions raised.
Kuwadzana MP Nelson Chamisa (MDC-T) rose on a point of order urging Prof Moyo to respect the legislators.
In another instance, Prof Moyo clashed with Chegutu West MP Cde Dexter Nduna (Zanu-PF) who said he appeared to be encroaching into other ministries’ work in the manner he was implementing STEM.
But Prof Moyo said he had the mandate from President Robert Mugabe to implement STEM in the manner he was doing, adding that his Ministry assumes responsibility for all school leavers once they write Ordinary Levels.
Online Reporter