News / National
Zimbabwe waives maths requirement for minority language trainees
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Government has exempted students specialising in minority indigenous languages from the mathematics prerequisite for admission into secondary teacher training, in a move aimed at increasing the number of teachers able to teach endangered local languages.
Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister Fredrick Shava said the special dispensation would take effect from the first semester of 2026.
Speaking at the Hillside Teachers' College graduation ceremony on Wednesday, Shava said the measure was part of government's broader efforts to preserve and promote Zimbabwe's minority indigenous languages.
The policy change coincides with Hillside Teachers' College introducing ChiNambya to its curriculum, bringing to seven the number of indigenous languages offered at the institution.
"Students and lecturers in indigenous languages are actively producing literature and pedagogical materials to sustain this work," Shava said.
He said the college was going beyond simply preserving indigenous languages by finding new ways of promoting and developing Zimbabwe's cultural heritage.
Hillside, popularly known as the "Rainbow College" because of its multilingual curriculum, graduated 441 students this year, comprising 149 men and 292 women.
Shava said male enrolment had increased to 33.8%, describing the figure as evidence of progress in reducing gender disparities in teacher training.
He also said 48.4% of the graduating class had qualified in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, reflecting the government's continued emphasis on increasing the number of teachers trained in technical and scientific fields.
The minister also highlighted the expansion of Hillside's Work for Fees Programme, which allows students to offset part of their tuition costs through work performed on campus.
The programme currently supports 63 students, up from 38 in 2024, representing a 65.8% increase.
"The Work for Fees Programme now supports 63 students, up from 38 last year, a 65.8% increase that stands as a compassionate and practical response to the needs of our most vulnerable learners," Shava said.
Hillside currently has 21 students with disabilities, with the institution continuing to provide support to ensure their participation in higher education.
Beyond its academic programmes, the college has expanded its income-generating activities, including a garment production unit supplying markets across the Southern African Development Community.
The institution also operates a bakery and a government-funded madhumbe crisps factory.
The crisps factory is expected to serve a dual purpose by generating income for the college while providing practical training opportunities for students studying agriculture and food science.
Shava said such initiatives demonstrated the role teacher-training institutions could play in combining education, skills development, heritage preservation and practical enterprise.
Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister Fredrick Shava said the special dispensation would take effect from the first semester of 2026.
Speaking at the Hillside Teachers' College graduation ceremony on Wednesday, Shava said the measure was part of government's broader efforts to preserve and promote Zimbabwe's minority indigenous languages.
The policy change coincides with Hillside Teachers' College introducing ChiNambya to its curriculum, bringing to seven the number of indigenous languages offered at the institution.
"Students and lecturers in indigenous languages are actively producing literature and pedagogical materials to sustain this work," Shava said.
He said the college was going beyond simply preserving indigenous languages by finding new ways of promoting and developing Zimbabwe's cultural heritage.
Hillside, popularly known as the "Rainbow College" because of its multilingual curriculum, graduated 441 students this year, comprising 149 men and 292 women.
Shava said male enrolment had increased to 33.8%, describing the figure as evidence of progress in reducing gender disparities in teacher training.
He also said 48.4% of the graduating class had qualified in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, reflecting the government's continued emphasis on increasing the number of teachers trained in technical and scientific fields.
The minister also highlighted the expansion of Hillside's Work for Fees Programme, which allows students to offset part of their tuition costs through work performed on campus.
The programme currently supports 63 students, up from 38 in 2024, representing a 65.8% increase.
"The Work for Fees Programme now supports 63 students, up from 38 last year, a 65.8% increase that stands as a compassionate and practical response to the needs of our most vulnerable learners," Shava said.
Hillside currently has 21 students with disabilities, with the institution continuing to provide support to ensure their participation in higher education.
Beyond its academic programmes, the college has expanded its income-generating activities, including a garment production unit supplying markets across the Southern African Development Community.
The institution also operates a bakery and a government-funded madhumbe crisps factory.
The crisps factory is expected to serve a dual purpose by generating income for the college while providing practical training opportunities for students studying agriculture and food science.
Shava said such initiatives demonstrated the role teacher-training institutions could play in combining education, skills development, heritage preservation and practical enterprise.
Source - Newsday
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