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Dr Olivia Muchena

Walter Nyamukondiwa in KADOMA
GOVERNMENT is in the process of reviewing the tertiary education curriculum to align it with the evolving needs of the economic sector and industry.

In a speech read on her behalf by her deputy Dr Godfrey Gandawa, Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Minister Dr Olivia Muchena said human capital development was key to the success of Zim-Asset.

“Zim-Asset, was crafted to achieve sustainable socia-economic transformation driven by indigenisation, empowerment and employment creation,” she said. “Human capital development is a pre-requisite to socio-economic transformation, and therefore critical to all the four clusters of Zim-Asset.”

Already, the Ministry working with NAMACO and other stakeholders have completed reviewing the Tourism and Hospitality sector training needs and programmes.

The review, said Minister Muchena, should incorporate elements of Zimbabwean culture and African ethos.

“Life skills are also critical in producing a fully developed graduate ready to play his or her role in the economy either as an employee or employer,” said Dr Muchena.

“Our education should always aim at producing committed and patriotic Zimbabweans ready and energetic to create wealth in an honest and hard working culture.”

Dr Muchena said universities, polytechnics and teacher training colleges should prioritise research and development as they are key to the growth of the economy.

NAMACO chairperson Commissioner Tendai Bare said concerted efforts were needed in closing the skills gap in graduates coming from tertiary institutions.

She said school leavers should be capacitated to generate their own employment as industrial capacity utilisation continues to decline and shrink the job market.

Permanent secretary in the ministry Dr Washington Mbizvo said Government embarked on the re-tooling of tertiary institutions so that they become the hotbed of innovations.

The three-day NAMACO congress is expected to come up with resolutions that will feed into manpower development efforts that will drive economic growth.

It is running under the theme; “Empowering Human Capital for Transforming and Growing the Economy”.