MSU targets 10k teachers for capacity development

MIDLANDS State University (MSU) is targeting to enrol over 10 000 teachers under the teacher capacity development programme on Information Communication Technology (ICT) recently introduced by Primary and Secondary Education Ministry in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef).

In an interview, MSU acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Victor Muzvidziwa said the programme was mainly targeting primary school teachers and would train more than 10 000 within the next 10 years.

“In our multi-campus approach we have also introduced the teacher capacity development programme at our Zvishavane Campus which is funded by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and Unicef. As MSU we have been given that mandate. This again is part of an effort to ensure that higher education becomes accessible and that we provide it in an atmosphere that is enabling in terms of access to resources. The teacher capacity development mainly focuses on ensuring that as many as possible teachers are capacitated to acquire higher and tertiary education in ICT to enable them to be able to be better teachers. This is a nationwide responsibility given to MSU,” he said.

The first batch of over 2 000 teachers have benefited from the scholarship programme which was introduced in 2015. The teachers are enrolled at various tertiary institutions across the country. A total of $3 million was availed for the programme at its launch, with the Government injecting $600 000 while the other $2,4 million was donated by Unicef. About 300 teachers recently graduated with post-graduate diplomas in education under the programme.

Zimbabwe has a shortage of Science and Mathematics teachers. The Capacity Development Programme, a brainchild of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, was launched by President Mugabe two years ago. It is one of the five pillars of the new education curriculum framework for primary and secondary schools.

Some of the disciplines available for further study under the programme include, Sciences, Mathematics, Education Planning, Building and Designing, Languages, Humanities and Information Communication Technology (ICT). Under the programme, beneficiaries have their tuition covered by the Government for the duration of their studies. The money would not be deducted from their salaries, as they would be bonded and expected to work for Government for a specific period.