By Education Correspondent
President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa in his SONA address emphasised the need for educational systems and legislative upgrades as means to foster development and nurture professions for youth and the general Zimbabwean population.
Mnangagwa noted the recent curriculum review, Education 5.0, as a major milestone in enhancing the country’s knowledge system’s compatibility to the developing global technology determism trends while making them centres for commercialisation of products.
“The recent curriculum review for the Primary and Secondary sector was far-reaching, while ICT penetration is making our students globally competitive. Building on the success registered by our Innovation Hubs and Industrial Parks at universities, focus will now shift to deliberately support the commercialisation of products and services from these institutions for further growth of local industry and the economy as a whole.” Mnangagwa said.
Mnangagwa highlighted the importance of the youth service as a development footstool as it had played an active role in infrastructure development for schools.
“Through the re-oriented Youth Service in Zimbabwe Programme, our youths are participating in community projects such as the construction and rehabilitation of classrooms, teachers’ accommodation, clinics, roads, boreholes, dip tanks, bridges and houses for vulnerable households. Mnangagwa noted.
Upcoming legislative reforms where hailed for their importance in devising systematic overhaul for conditions of educational management and teachers.
“As the transformation of the education sector gathers momentum, the introduction of the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council Bill is expected to enhance the efficiency and good corporate governance of the ZIMSEC Board. Likewise, the Teaching Professions Council Bill will regulate the conditions of service and produce a code of conduct for all teachers.” Mnangagwa also emphasised.
Teachers and educational professionals have arguably been at the forefront of calls for change in their conditions of service as they argue to have been sidelined to professional destitute.