Online Reporter
Mashudu Netsianda recently in Victoria Falls
VICE-President, Dr Constantino Chiwenga, has hailed President Mnangagwa’s transformative leadership in spearheading educational reforms that are reshaping Zimbabwe’s learning landscape and influencing the continent at large.
Speaking at the 3rd Africa Education Summit in Victoria Falls last Friday, Dr Chiwenga said the summit was not just a convergence of minds, but also a celebration of shared commitment to education as a powerful tool for development across Africa.
“The 3rd Education Summit is not merely a gathering of minds, but a celebration of our shared commitment to education as a transformative force that shapes the trajectory of our society and serves as a key to development across Africa,” said the Vice-President.
He credited President Mnangagwa for his unwavering dedication to human capital development, which he described as pivotal to the country’s and SADC region’s educational progress.
“President Mnangagwa’s visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to human capital development has played a pivotal role in advancing education, not only in our nation, but across the region,” he said.
Dr Chiwenga further commended the President for embracing Education 5.0 and a heritage-based education model, which he said has moved the country’s learning system beyond traditional academic learning to one that puts emphasis on practical skills development, innovation, entrepreneurship and pride in cultural identity.
“These initiatives foster a deeper sense of identity while equipping young people with the tools they need to face the challenges of the future,” he said.
Dr Chiwenga noted that the Government, under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), has made substantial investments in key areas such as infrastructure, teacher training and curriculum development, which are all aimed at building a robust and future-ready education system.
“Recognising that robust education infrastructure is fundamental to fostering an effective learning environment, President Mnangagwa has championed the construction and renovation of schools across the country, ensuring that students have access to safe and well-equipped classrooms,” he noted.
VP Chiwenga said the physical investments were complemented by continuous efforts to improve teacher training to ensure educators are equipped for the evolving demands of modern classrooms.
He also lauded President Mnangagwa’s commitment to inclusive education, particularly for children in rural and marginalised communities.
Singling out the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM), he said the model has become a life-changing initiative that continues to provide support for children who cannot afford school fees.
“Programmes like BEAM have played a vital role in ensuring that no child is excluded from school due to the inability to pay fees. This initiative has significantly boosted enrolment, particularly among the girl child, as Zimbabwe works towards achieving gender equality in education,” said VP Chiwenga.
As Africa charts the future of its education systems, he said the continent must draw inspiration from Zimbabwe’s example, driven by the leadership of President Mnangagwa.
“His Excellency, the President Dr ED Mnangagwa’s commitment to creating a more inclusive, innovative and resilient education system will undoubtedly continue to have a lasting impact on our nation and beyond,” he said.
The summit brought together educators, policy makers, academics and development partners from across Africa to reflect on the continent’s educational progress and share strategies for transforming learning systems in line with global trends.
Speaking during the same event, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerai Moyo called on African countries to harness the power of education as a driver for sustainable development, stressing the need to translate educational advancements into tangible benefits across the continent.
Minister Moyo said the summit, which ran under the theme: “Translating Our Educational Advancement to Continental Development”, demonstrates Africa’s collective commitment to building a prosperous future through quality and inclusive education.
“Together we aim to transform our educational achievement into tangible benefits for all African countries, ensuring that every learner is equipped to thrive in an interconnected world,” he said.
The summit, which was jointly hosted by the Global Skills Hub United Kingdom, Africa education stakeholders, and the Government of Zimbabwe, drew local and international delegates, education experts, and policymakers from across the continent and beyond.
Minister Moyo expressed gratitude to President Mnangagwa for allowing the country to host the event and for his unwavering dedication to the development of education in Zimbabwe.
The summit delved into a wide range of critical issues, including educational financing, foundational learning, curriculum reforms, digital learning, gender equity, research and innovation, as well as the integration of environmental education to address the effects of climate change.
Minister Moyo said Zimbabwe remains a regional leader in literacy and continues to make significant progress in improving its education system, guided by Vision 2030.
“Zimbabwe is renowned for its impressive literacy rating both regionally and globally, and the advent of the Second Republic under the leadership of President Mnangagwa continues to guide our efforts,” he said.
“Our education system has consistently produced leading minds across various fields including commerce, social science and agriculture.”
Highlighting key achievements, the minister said various initiatives undertaken by the Second Republic, including the Presidential Scholarship Programme, computerisation of schools, solarisation of rural educational facilities and the establishment of innovation and industrial hubs at higher learning institutions.
“These initiatives not only enhance the learning experience, but also reinforce President Mnangagwa’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal Number Four, which emphasises quality education,” said Minister Moyo.
“As we envision a prosperous, educated Zimbabwe, we are building an education system that is not only effective and efficient but also responsive to the evolving needs of our society, ultimately propelling us toward the goals set in Vision 2030,” said Minister Moyo.
He urged participants to embrace innovation and work collectively towards achieving relevant, inclusive and quality education across Africa.
