Govt prioritizes skills development in schools

THE Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Dr Lazarus Dokora has said that government has identified the national schools infrastructure needs that should be addressed in a bid to facilitate skills development education in schools.

Addressing delegates at the ongoing conference for National Primary School Heads (Naph) on Tuesday minister Dokora said the government was seized with the issue of schools infrastructure development that has opened opportunities for joint ventures.

"As a strategy and follow up to the infrastructure conference held last year, the ministry is creating opportunities for joint venture partnerships to accelerate the construction of the requisite schools infrastructure," Dokora was quoted as saying by the Chronicle today.

He emphasized that Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) should be embraced starting with infant education and commended Naph for the efforts in running schools' sporting activities.

He said the government has accelerated efforts to improve the quality of physical education and range of sporting codes taught at infant, junior and secondary schools across the country.

The education ministry, Dokora said, is working in conjunction with Ministries of Sport, Arts, and Culture and Youth, Indigenization and Economic Empowerment on the improvements.

"As you may be aware, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is working closely with the Office of the President and Cabinet's department for Liaison on Psychomotor activities in education with a common focus of making sure that every learner acquires practical skills for self-sustenance, employability and employment creation later in life," he said.

"This shows the importance that our government has placed on empowerment through skills acquisition during one's school years."

The minister said arts and cultural activities were also critical areas for socio-economic development. He said it was important to give such subjects more focus and time like other subjects.

Dr Dokora said his ministry has proposed a re-categorization of schools into small, medium and large basing on enrolment among other issues.

He said small schools are those with enrolments of up to 499, medium schools, 500 to 999 and large schools, 1,000 and above.