Work-based learning key to empowerment: Muchena

Post Reporter
A TOTAL of 840 students graduated with diplomas and certificates at a colourful ceremony held at Mutare Polytechnic last Friday.The college’s 25th graduation and prize-giving ceremony was held under the theme: “Economic Empowerment and Growth through TVETisation.”

Three hundred and thirty-nine students were females, representing 38 percent of the total graduates.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, Dr Olivia Muchena, said Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) was a distinctive feature of Zimbabwe tertiary education system that Mutare Polytechnic had implemented.

“The theme: ‘Economic empowerment and growth through TVETtisation’ is in line with Zim-Asset’s theme which is: ‘Empowering society and growing the economy.’

“TVET has become a vital mode of education delivery in tertiary institutions and it comprises of formal, non-formal and informal learning for the world of work because of this, women and men learn knowledge and skills from basic to advanced levels across a wide range of institutional and work settings and in diverse socio-economic contexts.

“This mitigates poverty through enhancement of employment creation and to integrate workplace-based learning and training into the vocational education curriculum is important in equipping the local community with relevant knowledge and skills necessary for them to start and run their own businesses. Skills training is a critical component of the youths’ development creation programme for poverty reduction, economic recovery and sustainable development,” said Dr Muchena.

Mutare Polytechnic principal Mr Tobias Kuwengwa said the institution’s financial position had also improved due to substantive revenue from production work which is as a result of TVET.

“The current major project is Padandaro, a restaurant which operates on a daily basis and the purchased grinding mill which is at our farm in Vumba. We were involved in the manufacturing of Cross Kopje Junior School classroom desks, tracksuits for Hartzell Central Primary School, hats and ties for St David’s Bonda High School and renovations at Murambi Hospital.

“These are the projects that students have been involved in and some are still operational and all this is a result of TVET,” said Mr Kuwengwa.