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Mnangagwa's govt Zimsec petitioned over 'tribal bias' Heritage book
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The Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) has submitted a petition to the government, the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec), and international bodies, accusing the Heritage Studies curriculum of promoting tribal and cultural bias.
The petition, signed by MRP secretary-general Velile Moyo, National Women's League chairperson Kinalimang Magaseni, and National Youth League chairperson Mkhululi Jele, is dated February 10. It is addressed to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and copied to Zimsec, the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the President's Office, and authors of the textbooks in question. The petition was also sent to regional and international organizations, including the Southern African Development Community (Sadc), the African Union Commission, Unicef, Unesco, and other child rights organizations.
MRP demands the immediate removal and ban of what it calls "forced tribal and culturally biased educational school literature," including Heritage Studies textbooks that allegedly prioritize Shona-oriented heritage at the expense of other cultures, particularly in Matabeleland and Midlands provinces.
The party also called for the withdrawal of the Heritage Studies examination paper from current and future schedules, alongside the development of an inclusive curriculum that promotes Zimbabwe's cultural diversity.
In the petition, MRP stated:
"This blatant disregard for the Constitution of Zimbabwe (2013) and international human rights law, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, is unacceptable. It is imperative that all children, regardless of their tribe or language, have access to education that celebrates and promotes their cultural identity, language, and values."
MRP argues that the current Heritage Studies curriculum perpetuates the marginalization of Ndebele-speaking communities and is oppressive and discriminatory. They appealed to both national and international bodies to intervene to safeguard the cultural and educational rights of children in Matabeleland and Midlands provinces.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education responded by stating that it had not approved the textbooks in question for use in schools. However, government departments, Sadc, and other stakeholders are yet to issue detailed responses to the petition.
International organizations such as Defence for Children International, the AU Commission for Human Rights, and Unesco acknowledged receipt of the petition and are reportedly reviewing it.
The issue has sparked fresh debate about Zimbabwe's educational policies and the representation of its cultural diversity in the curriculum.
The petition, signed by MRP secretary-general Velile Moyo, National Women's League chairperson Kinalimang Magaseni, and National Youth League chairperson Mkhululi Jele, is dated February 10. It is addressed to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and copied to Zimsec, the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the President's Office, and authors of the textbooks in question. The petition was also sent to regional and international organizations, including the Southern African Development Community (Sadc), the African Union Commission, Unicef, Unesco, and other child rights organizations.
MRP demands the immediate removal and ban of what it calls "forced tribal and culturally biased educational school literature," including Heritage Studies textbooks that allegedly prioritize Shona-oriented heritage at the expense of other cultures, particularly in Matabeleland and Midlands provinces.
The party also called for the withdrawal of the Heritage Studies examination paper from current and future schedules, alongside the development of an inclusive curriculum that promotes Zimbabwe's cultural diversity.
In the petition, MRP stated:
"This blatant disregard for the Constitution of Zimbabwe (2013) and international human rights law, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, is unacceptable. It is imperative that all children, regardless of their tribe or language, have access to education that celebrates and promotes their cultural identity, language, and values."
MRP argues that the current Heritage Studies curriculum perpetuates the marginalization of Ndebele-speaking communities and is oppressive and discriminatory. They appealed to both national and international bodies to intervene to safeguard the cultural and educational rights of children in Matabeleland and Midlands provinces.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education responded by stating that it had not approved the textbooks in question for use in schools. However, government departments, Sadc, and other stakeholders are yet to issue detailed responses to the petition.
International organizations such as Defence for Children International, the AU Commission for Human Rights, and Unesco acknowledged receipt of the petition and are reportedly reviewing it.
The issue has sparked fresh debate about Zimbabwe's educational policies and the representation of its cultural diversity in the curriculum.
Source - southern eye
