Bulilima schools urged to prioritise Kalanga language

The Bulilima district education officer has urged schools in that area to prioritise the teaching of the local language Kalanga amid revelations that there is a shortage of qualified teachers conversant with the language.

Addressing Bulilima school heads at a meeting recently, district education officer Danisa Nkomo ordered all teachers in primary schools to teach Kalanga with immediate effect without fail.

"It is disheartening that most teachers are not doing justice to the Kalanga language in Bulilima district, and this further marginalises the Kalanga community because the language is a carrier of their identity," said Nkomo.

He said Matabeleland South Provincial Education department instructed him to supervise the teaching of Kalanga in Bulilima.

"The education policy states that all vernacular languages should be taught in areas where they are spoken and hence Kalanga text books should be duly distributed to all Bulilima schools," said Nkomo.

Another headmaster, Norman Gwese said one of the factors that led to the neglect of Kalanga in schools is that there were no qualified teachers in the subject.

"Despite the fact that there are Kalanga syllabuses and relevant textbooks, the language will not be taught effectively because some teachers are not proficient in the subject," said Gwese.

He said at his school so far this term he has received one out of eight teachers who is able to teach Kalanga, making it difficult for all grades to learn Kalanga.

A headmistress from Bulilima area Judith Mafadza suggested that the district should hold workshops on scheming and teaching of the language so as to equip the teachers.

Another headmaster who spoke on condition of anonymity hinted that, upon recruitment of temporary teachers which is done in every year, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) should give first preference to teachers who are conversant in Kalanga, as this will enable the language to be taught without fail.

Binga Rural District Council (RDC) early this month passed a resolution banning the teaching of Ndebele in Binga schools, a move they said was aimed at promoting the Tonga language and preserving traditional values.

courtesy of