ZOU education diploma holders being turned away

THE Civil Service Commission (CSC) is turning away holders of diplomas in education obtained from the Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU) seeking teaching vacancies across the country.

Angry diploma holders from ZOU last week said the commission was opting for the untrained graduates and retired teachers who are being recalled because of the shortage of teachers especially in rural areas.

The diploma was once suspended three years ago for lack of content to be fully recognised as a qualification by Zimbabwe Council of Higher Education (Zimcher), which accredits programmes in the country.

ZOU director of communications, Ndai Nyamakura said the institution was doing all it could to fulfil the necessary requirements as recommended by Zimcher to ensure that the diploma gained recognition.

"While people have a problem in getting employed, we are working flat out to rectify the situation," said Nyamakura.

But the affected diploma holders said the issue was taking too long to be addressed and some said they were mulling a protest against both ZOU and the government.