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Jonathan Moyo's JM Nkomo Polytechnic Graduation Speech
16 Sep 2016 at 08:44hrs | Views
ADDRESS BY THE GUEST OF HONOUR, THE MINISTER OF HIGHER AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT ON "RE–ENGINEERING THE CURRICULUM FOR A SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY-ORIENTED SOCIETY" HONOURABLE PROFESSOR JONATHAN MOYO (MP) AT JOSHUA MQABUKO NKOMO POLYTECHNIC
15 SEPTEMBER 2016
SALUTATIONS
- Director of Ceremonies: Mrs. C Muswela
- The Principal of Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic: Dr. N. Moyo
- The Minister of Rural Development Promotion & Preservation Of National Culture and Heritage & the Acting Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Matebeleland South – Hon Cde A Ncube
- The Acting Principal Director Academic Affairs: Mr. J. T. Dewah
- The Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of Zimbabwe: Prof P Mashiri
- The UZ Coordinator Mr O Mavundutse
- The Acting Director Tertiary Education Programmes: Mrs. S. D. Zivanayi and other Head Office officials here present
- Chairperson of the Polytechnic Management Advisory Council Ms S Nyathi
- Principals from Sister Institutions here present
I recognise representatives of tertiary institutions who are here and in particular the following principals who are here today;
Eng. T. Mudondo – Harare Polytechnic
Dr F Dube – Mkoba Teachers College
Mr W Chandiwana – Gweru Polytechnic
Mr E M Gumpo – Hillside Teachers College
Mrs M Moyo – Madziwa Teachers College
Mrs P Watema – Mutare Polytechnic
Mr Muwandi – Mutare Teachers College
Mr E Musara – Masvingo Polytechnic
Mr R Mavunga – Kushinga Phikelela Polytechnic
Mr G. M Mabasa – Bulawayo Polytechnic
Mrs E Dekune – Danhiko Industrial Training College
Mr Mutambudzi – Masvingo Teachers College
Mr W Tunduwani – Msasa Industrial Training College
Mrs R Nyarugwe – Nyadire Teachers College
Mr J Banda – Westgate Industrial Training College
Mrs K. K Chipato – Morgenster Teachers College
Mr Chitsama – Bondolfi Teachers College
- Members of The Polytechnic Management Advisory Council
- Captains of Industry and Commerce
- Acting Provincial Administration for Matebeleland South Mr Peter Moyo
- Provincial Heads of Departments
- Heads of Schools
- Councillors
- All Invited Guests
- The College Academic and Administration Staff
- Parents and Guardians, Spouses, relatives and friends of Graduating Students.
- Ladies Gentlemen
- Comrades and Friends
- Lastly in a special way, Graduands
Good morning everyone.
It is a pleasure for me to have this opportunity to be part of J M Nkomo Polytechnics 40th teacher education which has the 42nd and 43rd intakes and 13th technical education graduation ceremonies where 1,120 teachers and 257 technicians are graduating under the theme: "Re engineering the curriculum for a science and technology oriented society".
I'm happy on this joyous day to be at Big Josh which has big dreams, big programs that train big students in big numbers J M Nkomo Polytechnic was established in 1981 and started as Gwanda Zintec College. Since then the institution has produced 12,351 teachers out of whom 5,039 (41%) are male and 7,312 female (59%). This number includes 1,120 teachers graduating today, 813 in the General Course and 307 in ECD. In technical and vocational education, the institution has over the years produced 2,321 graduates.
Engineering courses have contributed 261 (11%); Information Technology 114 (4%); Applied Sciences 698 (32%) and Commerce and other disciplines 1,248 (53%). As is the case in
most Polytechnics, this means that the majority of graduates have been in Commerce at the expense of STEM. The same trend is shown in this year's 257 technicians graduating today in technical education, that is, Engineering disciplines have 32 graduands (13%); Applied Sciences 97 graduands (38%); Information Technology 10 (4%) while Commerce and other disciplines have 118 graduands (46%). As previously announced, the Ministry is proposing to do away with the dual programme structure that combines technical and vocational education on the one hand with the teachers training programmes on the other. Evidence from this college as well as from Belvedere Technical College and Gweru Polytechnic has proven this arrangement to be unworkable. In the circumstance, the expectation is that J M Nkomo Polytechnic will develop and concentrate on its teachers education programme while a home will be found elsewhere in Matabeleland South province for the technical programme under a fully-fledged Polytechnic.
Director of Ceremonies, it is notable that the highest qualification currently offered by teachers colleges in the country is a Diploma. With
the expansion of universities in the country whose number is now 18 and set to be 21 by the end of the year, teachers colleges have an opportunity to consolidate their diploma experience and to upgrade that experience to degree level. This transformation is in the interest of the teaching profession and in line with the new Primary and Secondary School Curriculum to be implemented from January 2017; and the Ministry's STEM Initiative to foster Zimbabwe's industrialisation and modernisation. In order to facilitate the proposed transformation of teachers colleges, the Ministry has set up a Foundation Committee to look into the process, structure, content, staffing and resource requirements of the transformation.
The Steering Committee Members are:
Prof Chipo Dyanda - Chairperson, Former Pro Vice Chancellor, at the University of Zimbabwe
Dr Artwell Mamvuto - Chairman, Department of TeacherEducation, University of Zimbabwe
Dr Florence Dube - Principal Mkoba Teachers College
Dr Nomathemba Ndiweni - Pro Vice Chancellor Lupane StateUniversity
Dr Evelyn Garwe - Deputy CEO ZIMCHE
Mrs. Rosemary Nyarugwe - Principal Nyadire Teachers College
Mr. Jason Muwandi - Principal Mutare Teachers College
The main Term of Reference for the Foundation Committee is to examine and advise Government on the desirability and feasibility of transforming the country's teachers colleges into degree awarding institutions and to propose an appropriate structure and requirements of the transformation taking into account various possibilities including:
i. Retention of schemes of association with the University of Zimbabwe but open up arrangements to include other universities that have departments or faculties of education whether existing or proposed.
ii. Enabling the colleges to offer degrees as stand-alone institutions capable of offering at least four degree specialisations.
iii. Enabling colleges to become colleges of education.
iv. Establishing a national university of education with each of the teachers colleges becoming a campus and one of them with requisite infrastructure becoming the main campus of the university.
v. Enabling the Church run teachers colleges, to enter into new schemes of association with their corresponding Church related universities; or even become faculties or colleges of these institutions. vi. Any other possible scheme of arrangement that may be deemed necessary by the Committee. Director of Ceremonies, as the Teachers Colleges prepare to become degree awarding institutions, they must start now to get rid of the scourge of unending allegations of corrupt practices on their admissions. The Ministry continues to receive disturbing reports whose import is that admission procedures of some teachers colleges have been compromised through corrupt practices. Something needs to be done urgently to stop the rot and it will be done. Teachers colleges need qualified lecturers to lecture qualified students enrolled in a transparent and unimpeachable manner To graduands, well done to all of you on your success. Well done to your Principal and her teaching and non-teaching team for helping you realise your milestone. Well done to your parents and guardians who are present here to witness this great moment in the lives of their sons and daughters. Well done to your spouses, relatives and friends who have made this graduation day memorable for you. Best wishes to all of you in your professional journey ahead. I'm sure as big josh prepares to transform into a degree awarding institution, you will be back here sooner than might be obvious Congratulations! Makorokoto! Amhlophe, Matjena, Matsveu.
I thank you.
15 SEPTEMBER 2016
SALUTATIONS
- Director of Ceremonies: Mrs. C Muswela
- The Principal of Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic: Dr. N. Moyo
- The Minister of Rural Development Promotion & Preservation Of National Culture and Heritage & the Acting Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Matebeleland South – Hon Cde A Ncube
- The Acting Principal Director Academic Affairs: Mr. J. T. Dewah
- The Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of Zimbabwe: Prof P Mashiri
- The UZ Coordinator Mr O Mavundutse
- The Acting Director Tertiary Education Programmes: Mrs. S. D. Zivanayi and other Head Office officials here present
- Chairperson of the Polytechnic Management Advisory Council Ms S Nyathi
- Principals from Sister Institutions here present
I recognise representatives of tertiary institutions who are here and in particular the following principals who are here today;
Eng. T. Mudondo – Harare Polytechnic
Dr F Dube – Mkoba Teachers College
Mr W Chandiwana – Gweru Polytechnic
Mr E M Gumpo – Hillside Teachers College
Mrs M Moyo – Madziwa Teachers College
Mrs P Watema – Mutare Polytechnic
Mr Muwandi – Mutare Teachers College
Mr E Musara – Masvingo Polytechnic
Mr R Mavunga – Kushinga Phikelela Polytechnic
Mr G. M Mabasa – Bulawayo Polytechnic
Mrs E Dekune – Danhiko Industrial Training College
Mr Mutambudzi – Masvingo Teachers College
Mr W Tunduwani – Msasa Industrial Training College
Mrs R Nyarugwe – Nyadire Teachers College
Mr J Banda – Westgate Industrial Training College
Mrs K. K Chipato – Morgenster Teachers College
Mr Chitsama – Bondolfi Teachers College
- Members of The Polytechnic Management Advisory Council
- Captains of Industry and Commerce
- Acting Provincial Administration for Matebeleland South Mr Peter Moyo
- Provincial Heads of Departments
- Heads of Schools
- Councillors
- All Invited Guests
- The College Academic and Administration Staff
- Parents and Guardians, Spouses, relatives and friends of Graduating Students.
- Ladies Gentlemen
- Comrades and Friends
- Lastly in a special way, Graduands
It is a pleasure for me to have this opportunity to be part of J M Nkomo Polytechnics 40th teacher education which has the 42nd and 43rd intakes and 13th technical education graduation ceremonies where 1,120 teachers and 257 technicians are graduating under the theme: "Re engineering the curriculum for a science and technology oriented society".
I'm happy on this joyous day to be at Big Josh which has big dreams, big programs that train big students in big numbers J M Nkomo Polytechnic was established in 1981 and started as Gwanda Zintec College. Since then the institution has produced 12,351 teachers out of whom 5,039 (41%) are male and 7,312 female (59%). This number includes 1,120 teachers graduating today, 813 in the General Course and 307 in ECD. In technical and vocational education, the institution has over the years produced 2,321 graduates.
Engineering courses have contributed 261 (11%); Information Technology 114 (4%); Applied Sciences 698 (32%) and Commerce and other disciplines 1,248 (53%). As is the case in
most Polytechnics, this means that the majority of graduates have been in Commerce at the expense of STEM. The same trend is shown in this year's 257 technicians graduating today in technical education, that is, Engineering disciplines have 32 graduands (13%); Applied Sciences 97 graduands (38%); Information Technology 10 (4%) while Commerce and other disciplines have 118 graduands (46%). As previously announced, the Ministry is proposing to do away with the dual programme structure that combines technical and vocational education on the one hand with the teachers training programmes on the other. Evidence from this college as well as from Belvedere Technical College and Gweru Polytechnic has proven this arrangement to be unworkable. In the circumstance, the expectation is that J M Nkomo Polytechnic will develop and concentrate on its teachers education programme while a home will be found elsewhere in Matabeleland South province for the technical programme under a fully-fledged Polytechnic.
Director of Ceremonies, it is notable that the highest qualification currently offered by teachers colleges in the country is a Diploma. With
the expansion of universities in the country whose number is now 18 and set to be 21 by the end of the year, teachers colleges have an opportunity to consolidate their diploma experience and to upgrade that experience to degree level. This transformation is in the interest of the teaching profession and in line with the new Primary and Secondary School Curriculum to be implemented from January 2017; and the Ministry's STEM Initiative to foster Zimbabwe's industrialisation and modernisation. In order to facilitate the proposed transformation of teachers colleges, the Ministry has set up a Foundation Committee to look into the process, structure, content, staffing and resource requirements of the transformation.
The Steering Committee Members are:
Prof Chipo Dyanda - Chairperson, Former Pro Vice Chancellor, at the University of Zimbabwe
Dr Artwell Mamvuto - Chairman, Department of TeacherEducation, University of Zimbabwe
Dr Florence Dube - Principal Mkoba Teachers College
Dr Nomathemba Ndiweni - Pro Vice Chancellor Lupane StateUniversity
Dr Evelyn Garwe - Deputy CEO ZIMCHE
Mrs. Rosemary Nyarugwe - Principal Nyadire Teachers College
Mr. Jason Muwandi - Principal Mutare Teachers College
The main Term of Reference for the Foundation Committee is to examine and advise Government on the desirability and feasibility of transforming the country's teachers colleges into degree awarding institutions and to propose an appropriate structure and requirements of the transformation taking into account various possibilities including:
i. Retention of schemes of association with the University of Zimbabwe but open up arrangements to include other universities that have departments or faculties of education whether existing or proposed.
ii. Enabling the colleges to offer degrees as stand-alone institutions capable of offering at least four degree specialisations.
iii. Enabling colleges to become colleges of education.
iv. Establishing a national university of education with each of the teachers colleges becoming a campus and one of them with requisite infrastructure becoming the main campus of the university.
v. Enabling the Church run teachers colleges, to enter into new schemes of association with their corresponding Church related universities; or even become faculties or colleges of these institutions. vi. Any other possible scheme of arrangement that may be deemed necessary by the Committee. Director of Ceremonies, as the Teachers Colleges prepare to become degree awarding institutions, they must start now to get rid of the scourge of unending allegations of corrupt practices on their admissions. The Ministry continues to receive disturbing reports whose import is that admission procedures of some teachers colleges have been compromised through corrupt practices. Something needs to be done urgently to stop the rot and it will be done. Teachers colleges need qualified lecturers to lecture qualified students enrolled in a transparent and unimpeachable manner To graduands, well done to all of you on your success. Well done to your Principal and her teaching and non-teaching team for helping you realise your milestone. Well done to your parents and guardians who are present here to witness this great moment in the lives of their sons and daughters. Well done to your spouses, relatives and friends who have made this graduation day memorable for you. Best wishes to all of you in your professional journey ahead. I'm sure as big josh prepares to transform into a degree awarding institution, you will be back here sooner than might be obvious Congratulations! Makorokoto! Amhlophe, Matjena, Matsveu.
I thank you.
Source - Twitter
