Schools will open for the 2023 first term tomorrow amid heightened expectation for a return to normal learning after nearly two years of disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Sunday Mail’s TANYARADZWA RUSIKE (TR) talked to the director of communications and advocacy in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Mr Taungana Ndoro (TN), on a range of issues ahead of the new school term.
********
TR: Can you outline Government’s preparedness for the opening of schools for the 2023 first term?
TN: As usual, the ministry is prepared for reopening of schools on Monday (tomorrow). We already have a school calendar for the year to that effect.
Our personnel, including heads of schools, are raring to go.
TR: How many additional teachers have been recruited to work in public schools starting this term?
TN: The ministry, through the Public Service Commission, recruited a substantial number of teachers towards the end of last year.
The recruitment was based on the enrolment pattern in our schools.
The ministry will continue to request more teachers for this term in line with the enrolment pattern in our schools for 2023.
TR: What is Government’s position on school fees hikes for this term and schools demanding tuition fees exclusively in US dollars?
TN: We have gone public about issues related to school fees. Schools can only collect any levies after getting approval from the ministry.
It is not the policy of the ministry to demand school fees exclusively in US dollars.
TR: How many schools have applied for school fees variations this term?
TN: Applications for school variations are done when the need arises.
TR: We understand, after piloting the State-funded education initiative, Government intends to roll out the programme at more schools this year, as was pronounced by President Mnangagwa last year. How many schools are set to benefit from this programme this year?
TN: Processes are in place to ensure all needy schools benefit. However, the most disadvantaged schools are the first beneficiaries.
TR: How many children will benefit from the State-funded education programme?
TN: Again, the beneficiaries will be in line with the disadvantaged schools.
Remember, we are opening schools next week (this week) and the beneficiaries will be determined as the term commences.
TR: Can you outline how the State-funded education programme will work?
TN: State-funded education is a constitutional obligation. The nation will progressively move towards basic State-funded education.
We have so far started catering for the disadvantaged schools. More and more schools are set to benefit.
TR: We understand the curriculum framework is undergoing a review. Can you give us an outline of what this entails?
TN: It is not the continuous assessment learning activities that are being reviewed. The ministry is reviewing the curriculum framework.
It is the curriculum framework that will inform all the aspects of the curriculum.
The reviewed curriculum will determine the nature of the continuous assessment learning activities.
TR: How many schools are set for construction this year and in which areas?
TN: We have again gone public on this matter.
The ministry has a shortfall of more than 3 000 schools.
All the 10 provinces have a deficit in school infrastructure, including metropolitan provinces such as Harare and Bulawayo.
TR: What measures will Government put in place this year to avert the leaking of public examination papers?
TN: Our parastatal, ZIMSEC (Zimbabwe School Examinations Council), has the mandate to ensure the leakage of examinations is plugged.
TR: Will the measures introduced to curb the spread of Covid-19 in schools remain in place this year?
TN: The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education will continue to follow guidance from the Ministry of Health and Child Care on Covid -19.
So, whatever measures that will be taken will depend on the advice that we are going to get. However, the current protocols will continue to be observed. – Sunday Mail
