Lack of Maths and Science facilities scuttle learning in Gwanda - Senator Sibanda

Senator Bheki Sibanda of Gwanda North has said the shortage of science and mathematics facilities in Matabeleland south were scuttling the learning of the subjects in most secondary schools amid indications that only a few schools had the facilities.

"Around 2009 and 2010, I did some research in Gwanda where I looked at about 14 rural secondary schools," said Sibanda.

"Out of these, only 2 offered science facilities. Our future as a nation is dependent on the quality of science knowledge that we have. Research is going to be based on the quality of science education that we give our children. Universities like NUST are going to benefit from the background that our children may have in science education, particularly at the earliest levels. I urge Government to take very seriously the introduction of science subjects at all our schools. On the same subject of tertiary education, I want to acknowledge that university education is an investment."

Sibanda said he is a graduate of the University of Sierra Leone, a distinguished university. Now, for the benefit of Senators, at any one time, there were 200 Zimbabweans seconded from Mozambique, Zambia or from the refugee camps in one of these countries.

"So, I would urge that we take some of these universities seriously. One of the distinguished people from that university is Professor Ngwabi Bhebhe. So, let us respect the qualitative education offered at that particular centre,' he said.

"Anyway, that is not what I was debating. What I was saying is that education is an investment. It is no use or it is not very helpful for this nation to invest in tertiary education and cease to convert that investment into labour that we can reap from. I know there is talk about exporting labour."

He said he frowns at that because we did not initially invest in education in order to export but in order to develop this nation.

"So, once again, I urge Government to enhance, particularly our Polytechnical Colleges, the capacity to develop an educated cadre who is an investment into Zimbabwe and not into other countries," Sibanda said.

"You will remember that certain countries in West Africa have actually exported labour extensively and later gone back to plead with the same labour force, to the extent that I know certain expatriates who have been hired to come back to certain countries. That is not healthy for any country. With those words, I would like to urge Government to take seriously the investment that they make and to make sure that they reap the best return for the good of Zimbabwe and not for other countries."