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Sydney Mubaiwa in Zaka
Villagers in Zaka District have hailed the establishment of a science laboratory at Zaka High School, saying this will improve children’s access to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education.

The science laboratory is expected to spearhead development in the area.

Zaka Central legislator Cde Paradzai Chakona said the basis of Zimbabwe’s focus on the implementation of the STEM initiative was in response to increase in technology fostered by scientific research and development.

“We must deliberately enrich our education system with applied sciences in pursuit of research and development, motivation and invention,” he said.

“We cannot claim any meaningful share of the digitalised global markets when our education system specialises in churning out unstemitised products in this era of digitalisation.”

Cde Chakona said the STEM initiative was a national strategy to achieve defined national socio-economic goals as prescribed by the Zim-Asset economic blueprint.

Deputy education director for Masvingo, Mr Enock Chikwange, said Government would increase the number of science teachers in rural areas to harness the STEM ideology.

“It’s true that the Ministry (of Primary and Secondary Education) has a shortage of science teachers,” he said.

“This is why we launched the Teacher Capacity Development Programme in 2014 to upgrade teachers in various areas so that they acquire skills to cope with the demands of the new curriculum.”

Mr Chikangwe said colleges were training more science teachers to ease the shortages.

“I am confident that our learners will benefit from the programme since schools in rural areas have adopted a notable gesture in science teaching,” he said.