adminto his commission for a solution to their grievances.
Although ZOU is keeping a lid on the number of affected teachers saying they are only 38, insiders said thousands of holders of the teaching diploma are jobless after the PSC refused to recognise their qualification.
Some of the desperate graduates have resorted to using their Ordinary and Advanced level certificates and are now employed as temporary primary school teachers despite having undergone a three-year teacher training programme. Pressed to comment on why the PSC was reluctant to recognise the ZOU teaching diplomas, Dr Nzuwa said: “I will not comment on issues to do with an officer’s welfare in the press, absolutely not.”
The Zimbabwe Council of Higher Education on Thursday said the contentious issue was now in the hands of the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education. Zimche is mandated with evaluating and assessing higher education programmes to ensure they meet the country’s training needs while maintaining world class standards. Zimche chief executive officer Dr Evelyn Garwe, said the council was dealing with the matter. She said the matter did not fall under Zimche purview.
“The issue is now in the hands of the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education. According to the Manpower Development Act, teaching diplomas fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education. When we dealt with the issue we were only assessing. There were areas that we found wanting,” she said, without elaborating.
Dr Garwe referred the Herald to the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education. Higher and Tertiary Education Minister Dr Stan Mudenge and his Secretary Dr Washington Mbizvo were not available for a comment as they were said to be out of office on business.
Online Reporter