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Zimbabwe's Mugabe backs new curriculum

Xinhua, April 17, 2017 Adjust font size:

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe on Monday showed his support to the new education curriculum introduced by government at the beginning of this year, saying it is meant to fully develop learners' potential and prepare them for the world of work.

Speaking at the 2017 Children's Independence Party, Mugabe told over 4,000 students from the country's 10 provinces that the new curriculum was "competence and skills based", state-run news agency New Ziana reported.

"Our goal is to ensure that the updated curriculum supports and sustains the transition from school to the world of work through serious study of a wide variety of subjects that include the sciences, technology and mathematics," Mugabe said.

Lazarus Dokora, Primary and Secondary Education Minister, has been under constant criticism since the new curriculum was introduced, with some educators accusing government of having failed to consult widely before making the changes.

"We must, as we do this, appreciate the profound turn towards innovation and creativity in our nation." Dokora said.

He said agriculture is one of the subjects that had been introduced at primary level as part of the changes, adding its introduction was in line with efforts to ultimately improve productivity on farms following conclusion of the land reform program.

To support the agriculture projects at schools, Mugabe said government had commenced the Zimbabwe Schools Water and Agriculture Project that will see schools being supported through installation of drip irrigation, fish farming tanks and solar.

"Land is like all the country's resources, our natural God-given resource," he said.

Under the water and agriculture project, 45 boreholes have been drilled at different schools to date, with a target to drill 100 boreholes per month from May, until all the 2,500 secondary schools have been completed before it is extended to primary schools.

Mugabe said the projects were expected to complement the schools feeding program that was introduced to support mainly infant learners during the drought period when most families especially in rural areas faced food shortages.

The annual children's party is hosted on the 17th of April by the First Family to allow them to meet and interact with youngsters on the eve of the country's Independence Day.

Zimbabwe will celebrate 37 years of independence from British colonial rule on Tuesday. Endit