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Dr Dokora

Fungai Lupande Herald Reporter
Zimbabwe is one of a few countries in Southern Africa set to achieve some of the Education For All targets spearheaded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, a Cabinet Minister has said.

Speaking at the launch of the EFA Global Monitoring Report in Harare recently, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Dr Lazarus Dokora commended President Mugabe for promoting education and boosting ICT use in schools.

“There is increased access to primary or basic education throughout the country,” he said. “About 838 satellite primary schools were established in resettlement and remote areas, especially in the wake of the land reform.

“A further 587 satellite secondary schools were established as well. President Mugabe has managed to source and deploy over 10 500 desktops and laptops in schools. Including ICT in the new and proposed curriculum is now a matter of routine.”

Minister Dokora said the country had made ECD a key policy priority.

“To date, 98 percent of primary schools have an ECD class,” he said. “To enhance quality ECD, over 2 000 teachers were trained by the Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Ministry.”

Minister Dokora said the total enrolment from ECD to Form Six stood at 4,1 million learners.

“Our gender parity is almost one-to-one,” he said.

“The Government has proposed reforms in the curriculum for both primary and secondary education to offer technical and vocational subjects.

“The education system has a variety of programmes for youths and adults. Every school is now a community learning centre. As we broaden the curriculum, the teacher-to-pupil ratio is at one-to-36. Trained teachers stand at 90 percent.”

Dr Dokora said his ministry embarked on two crucial tasks which shaped the future of children.

“The ministry has just completed a comprehensive curriculum review. On the other hand, it has developed an education strategic plan for the period 2015 to 2020,” he said.

“The EFA Global Report gives the Government an opportunity to craft post-2015 strategies fully cognisant of the unfinished business. The report also shows that conflict remains a steep barrier and education reHigher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development permanent secretary Dr Machivenyika Mapuranga said his ministry had contributed immensely to the provision of quality education.

“The Government instructed the ministry to produce 11 000 EDC teachers and we are training roughly 2 300 per year,” he said.

UNESCO director Professor Hubert Gijzen said the report was done to track progress on the world EFA agenda.

“While noting the gains, the report is clear on its verdict that the world has fallen short,” said Prof Gijzen. “Only one third of countries have achieved all the EFA goals and 58 million children still remain out of school. Zimbabwe, UNESCO’s host country in Southern Africa, has prioritised education by allocating at least a fourth of its budget to the sector.”