WANTED: 1,000 Maths, Science teachers

THERE are 900 Mathematics teacher vacancies in schools and Government has intensified training of such tutors with 1 000 set to be recruited in the next two years.

Addressing a graduation ceremony at the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe-run Morgenster Teachers' College in Masvingo last Friday, Higher and Tertiary, Science and Technology Development Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo said 343 Maths teachers were currently undergoing training at secondary teachers' colleges.

About 400 teachers graduated with diplomas in education and Early Childhood Education.

"Our ministry will work with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to design in-service teacher capacitation programmes to ensure that every teacher has a practical competence in Mathematics,'' he said.

"Against this backdrop, 343 Mathematics teachers are currently being trained at secondary teachers' colleges against 901 vacancies expected to be filled by December 2018,'' said Prof Moyo.

Prof Moyo reiterated the need for teachers' colleges to embrace Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) policy in order to equip student teachers with requisite skills.

He said every student teacher must have at least Grade C in Mathematics at Ordinary Level.

He hailed churches for playing a crucial role in promoting education in the country before and after independence.

Prof Moyo also highlighted on the ongoing drive to transform teachers' colleges into degree -awarding institutions and cited Morgenster Teachers' College, Bondolfi in Masvingo and Nyadire teachers' colleges in Mashonaland East as potential beneficiaries.

"In a special way, Morgenster Teachers' College's contribution to the achievement and growth of teacher education in Zimbabwe is an important footnote to the pivotal role played by the church in Zimbabwe's teacher education before and after independence in 1980," said Prof Moyo

"On its part, Morgenster Teachers College under the exemplary guidance the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ) has trained 14 405 teachers in its history. This represents 8,6 percent of the 168 224 teachers trained in the country. It is a matter of pride to note that this college is the oldest tertiary institution in the country having been established in 1902," said Prof Moyo.

He said the college is a pioneering tertiary institution in the administration of the T4 teachers' preparation programme.

"The T4 as some will recall here was a lower primary teachers' certificate equivalent to the Early Childhood Development programme.

"The college also established the care giver infant toddler programme for ECD students and opened ECD centres for the less privileged at Mutimurefu Prison, Alpha Cottages and other rural areas in Masvingo."

He said some of the illustrious Zimbabweans such as Minister of State for Liaison on Psychomotor Activities in Education Senator Josiah Hungwe, Chief Mugabe, the late Jonas Zvobgo, an educationist and father to the late Dr Jonas Zvobgo and Prof Rungano Zvobgo, who is the Vice Chancellor of the Great Zimbabwe University, graduated from the institution.

Present at the occasion were Prof Zvobgo, Reformed Church University(RCU) Chancellor Reverend Dr Rangarirai Rutoro, RCU Vice Chancellor Prof Wiseman Magwa, Masvingo Provincial Education Director Mr Zadius Chitiga, Masvingo Mayor Councillor Hubert Fidze and Chief Mugabe, among others.