Vusumuzi Dube
Robin Muchetu, Senior Reporter
ZIMBABWE continues to make strides in the education sector with a diploma in Sign Language introduced in January attracting an overwhelming enrolment as the country aligns itself with the Constitution that provides for it as one of the 16 national languages.
The diploma is part of efforts to guarantee inclusivity and diversity in the education landscape. It also seeks to ensure that language does not become a barrier to communication in communities.
The diploma was a result of a partnership between Sunrise Sign Language Academy (SSLA) and the Reformed Church University (RCU) with Mr Douglas Mapeta, founder and chairman of Sunrise Sign Language Academy saying their aim was to make Sign Language a common tool in every household and to equip people with skills that would enable organisations to incorporate persons with special needs in their structures.
“More than 30 students have already enrolled for the diploma and will be completing it in December becoming the first graduates in Zimbabwe.
“What motivated us to start the diploma programme is the gap in the education sector in as far as Sign Language is concerned. Other languages have advanced and the language of the deaf has never progressed. It is with this background that we saw it fit to approach tertiary institutions like Reformed Church University,” said Mr Mapeta.
The chairman said they signed a memorandum of understanding with the university to offer the diploma, adding that they want to continue growing the programme.
“Everyone who wants to do this diploma can come through Sunrise Sign Language Academy to be taught the basics of the language and for practical lessons.
There is a lot of theory and that will be done at RCU country-wide, we train anyone provided they have the necessary qualifications,” he said.
The deaf are also enrolled in the programme.
“This is because, learning a language does not guarantee anyone to interpret the language for you, so we make sure the deaf are trained well and become lecturers of their own language upon completion of their studies.
“We are encouraging teachers, nurses, journalists, lawyers, and many more to train in this language. We will have a degree going up to the PhD level and even a professorship in the future,” he added.
The Sign Language Academy said they wanted to grow the Government’s vision of leaving no one and no place behind and also the mantra of RCU of inclusivity and diversity by ensuring Sign Language was taught all over the country for effective communication.
The diploma programme runs for one year and an initial six months at the Sign Language Academy while the degree will be for a two-year duration. – @NyembeziMu
Online Reporter