Govt slams critics over new curriculum

THE Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education says implementation of the new curriculum has been smooth so far with no challenges reported from schools, amid criticism from some individuals and teacher organisations that the process was rushed.

Implementation of the curriculum started on Tuesday last week when schools opened for the first term this year following successful piloting between May and September 2016.

In an interview, Secretary for Primary and Secondary Education Dr Sylvia Utete-Masango said implementation of the new curriculum started off well. She, however, took aim at critics, among them former education minister Mr David Coltart, who was quoted in some sections of the media expressing concern over the implementation of the new curriculum.

"I'm deeply concerned about what my successor is doing to education," Sen Coltart was quoted saying while Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president Mr Takavafira Zhou, in his beginning of the year message, claimed that implementation of the new curriculum had been chaotic.

"The rushed implementation of new curriculum with immediate effect has left teachers wondering where to start as the syllabi and teaching resources are not yet in schools," he said.

Dr Utete-Masango challenged Mr Coltart and other critics to come forward with their input and not grandstand in the media.

"He (Mr Coltart) should point out exactly what is chaotic. He shouldn't just criticise for the sake of it because he is no longer in the driver's seat. It won't help anyone to just criticise. Come forward with your input and we look at it," she said.

She added that there was nothing amiss so far in the implementation of the new curriculum.

"So far there hasn't been anything amiss. We haven't received any reports of any challenges," said Dr Utete-Masango.

"Right now we are busy putting together information from all our centres before coming up with a proper assessment, but so far so good."

Dr Utete-Masango dismissed claims that syllabi and teaching resources were not yet in schools, a position that has also been backed by National Association of Primary School Heads (Naph) and National Association of Secondary School Heads (Nash) chairpersons.

The new curriculum, whose thrust is on life skills has ushered a number of changes to pupils learning process. New learning areas under the new curriculum include heritage studies, life-skills orientation programme, visual and performing arts, sport and mass displays, information and communication technology.

The new curriculum also has cross-cutting themes from infant school to Advanced Level which include gender, children's rights, disaster risk management, financial literacy, sexuality, HIV and Aids, child protection, heritage studies, collaboration and environmental issues.

Continuous assessment is also another key component of the new curriculum where pupils' final grade will be derived from their coursework and examination marks.

Under the new curriculum, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education introduced the national schools pledge for pupils as a way of instilling a sense of patriotism among learners.