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Dr Lazarus Dokora

Fungai Jachi Herald Correspondent
Non-formal education has been significant in the empowerment of people and has improved livelihoods and contributed towards the economic development of the country, says Primary and Secondary Education Minister Dr Lazarus Dokora.

Speaking last Friday while handing over 10 new vehicles to 10 non-formal education provincial directors at an event held at the Women’s University in Africa premises in Harare he said: “Non-formal education has played a pivotal role in improving the livelihoods of people and it is mandatory for it to be revived since it has been for a long time a veritable backbone of many of our people,” he said

Each of the country’s 10 provinces received a Toyota Hilux valued at $29 800.

The non-formal education sector used part of their guarantee funds to buy the vehicles.

The director for non-formal education Mr Edson Mutuwira said they were excited as a department that they were able to fund their own initiatives and did not rely on donor funding.

“The non-formal education sector was there since the 1980s, but it was suspended due to lack of funds,” he said.

“Now we are happy that we are able to buy vehicles that will help in the monitoring, supervision and evaluation of non-formal education programmes.”

One of the recipients, Matabeleland North provincial education director Mrs Boithatelo Mnguni, said the vehicle was a good asset for the province as it was suitable for their terrain.

“They are beautiful and I am also happy that they are labelled non-formal education which will help us campaign for the department,” she said.

Reverend Thedius Matienga, the Midlands provincial education director said he appreciated the vehicle and hoped it would go a long in getting things done, especially in the rural areas.

Non-formal education is an integral part of a lifelong learning concept that ensures that young people and adults acquire and maintain the skills, abilities and dispositions needed to adapt to the continuously changing environment.