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The Herald, 28 March, 1980

THE first priority of the new Government is to reopen all the schools closed as a result of the war, said the Minister of Education and Culture, Mr Dzingai Mutumbuka.

Mr Mutumbuka said he has not yet had time to study the problems in the educational system, but that two features stood out.

“First, there are still hundreds of schools closed, and now that we have peace, it is a priority of the Government to reopen these schools. There are problems in terms of the infrastructures of many schools being damaged or destroyed: staffing shortages; and health hazards due to unhygienic drinking water,” he said.

Together with the Minister of Health, Mr Mutumbuka said he was tackling the hygiene problems at the schools.

The second feature was the single education system, which started two years ago when the European and African education systems merged, he said.

“The process has just begun and as of now, I have not studied the implications of the single system or which direction to take.”

Mr Mutumbuka said Zanu (PF) had said in its manifesto that the party was aiming at a free primary school education, but that this still had to be studied in terms of feasibility.

With free education, there would be a certain amount of compulsion involved in terms of a school-going age. “It would be mandatory for parents to send their children to school, instead of sending them out to work,” said Mr Mutumbuka. “The State would take it on themselves to ensure that children were at school.”

LESSONS FOR TODAY

• Zimbabwe’s education system prior to 1980, favoured whites mainly, and few black children could access basic education.
• At Independence, Zimbabwe’s first Minister of Education, Mr Dzingai Mutumbuka introduced radical reforms, including free education, all aimed at democratising the education sector. This ensured that this basic human right was enjoyed by everyone.
• The fruits of that seed planted 40 years ago is now a marvel for the nation, as the education sector — both primary and tertiary — has grown exponentially over the years. The literacy rate is now considered one of the highest in Africa, despite the challenges.
• Education is now overseen by two ministries: Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education for primary and secondary education; and, the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development for higher education.
• Former Minister Mutumbuka, who has also worked for the World Bank (1990-2007), is a member of the governing board for UNESCO’s International Institute for Educational Planning.

He is also the former Chair of the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA).