News / National
Sanctions affecting quality of education for over a decade
21 Jun 2014 at 06:24hrs | Views
ILLEGAL sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by some Western powers have adversely affected the quality of education in the past 14 years, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa has said.
Addressing students at the belated Day of the African Child celebrations organised by the Zimbabwe Congress of Students Unions in Harare yesterday, Minister Mnangagwa said the embargo had resulted in a number of school drop outs and poor pass rates.
"Despite our obligations for quality education, we have been adversely affected by illegal sanctions during the last 14 years," he said.
"The sanctions imposed on us have resulted in a growing number of school dropouts and a low pass rate in both primary and secondary levels because of strained resources from government."
Minister Mnangagwa said the country's education curriculum should be changed to foster patriotism and other nationalistic traits relevant to Zimbabwe.
"We believe here in Zimbabwe, in particular we of Zanu-PF, that the school curriculum must inculcate patriotism, respect for the Constitution, diligence and hard honest work as well as Ubuntu," he said.
"Pursuant to mastering these values, it is critical for learners to know the history and genesis of Zimbabwe and the need to use our natural resources sustainably for the benefit of current development and prosperity."
Minister Mnangagwa said the Day of the African Child provided the youths and Africa an opportunity to reflect on the continent's achievements.
He urged the youths to strive towards preserving the country's legacy and heritage.
Speaking at the same event, Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister Professor Paul Mavhima said it was worrying that more than 13,000 school teachers were not qualified.
"There is need to devise flexible methodologies to make sure that the untrained teachers can get training, like the use of block releases," he said.
The Day of the African Child is celebrated every year on June 16 in commemoration of more than 200 students who were killed by security forces in Soweto, South Africa after they took to the streets protesting against the quality of education they were receiving at the hands of the apartheid regime.
This year's celebrations were held under the theme: "A child friendly, quality, free and compulsory education for all children in Africa".
Addressing students at the belated Day of the African Child celebrations organised by the Zimbabwe Congress of Students Unions in Harare yesterday, Minister Mnangagwa said the embargo had resulted in a number of school drop outs and poor pass rates.
"Despite our obligations for quality education, we have been adversely affected by illegal sanctions during the last 14 years," he said.
"The sanctions imposed on us have resulted in a growing number of school dropouts and a low pass rate in both primary and secondary levels because of strained resources from government."
Minister Mnangagwa said the country's education curriculum should be changed to foster patriotism and other nationalistic traits relevant to Zimbabwe.
"We believe here in Zimbabwe, in particular we of Zanu-PF, that the school curriculum must inculcate patriotism, respect for the Constitution, diligence and hard honest work as well as Ubuntu," he said.
Minister Mnangagwa said the Day of the African Child provided the youths and Africa an opportunity to reflect on the continent's achievements.
He urged the youths to strive towards preserving the country's legacy and heritage.
Speaking at the same event, Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister Professor Paul Mavhima said it was worrying that more than 13,000 school teachers were not qualified.
"There is need to devise flexible methodologies to make sure that the untrained teachers can get training, like the use of block releases," he said.
The Day of the African Child is celebrated every year on June 16 in commemoration of more than 200 students who were killed by security forces in Soweto, South Africa after they took to the streets protesting against the quality of education they were receiving at the hands of the apartheid regime.
This year's celebrations were held under the theme: "A child friendly, quality, free and compulsory education for all children in Africa".
Source - Chronicle
