‘Polytechnics critical to economy’

GOVERNMENT will not transform polytechnics into degree-offering institutions as they should not shift from their mandate of offering skilled personnel for industry.

It is believed that most polytechnics have been planning to reinvent themselves as degree-offering institutions.

Addressing Harare Polytechnic heads of department on Wednes- day, Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Minister Professor Amon Murwira said polytechnics have the ability to revive industry and drive the local industrialisation process.

Prof Murwira had earlier on toured the University of Zimbabwe.

“I am a scientist myself and I understand that I can barely work without people who are highly trained in technical education, and I do not want the technical education to be diluted. This cannot be taken for granted as technical education is the implementation of concepts. This is the primacy of the implementation of knowledge,” he said.

“Development of polytechnics is essential, but not to the extent that they are destroyed and changed into universities.

“In this new dispensation, institutions are the cog for economic development and you want to abandon that? What will you become?

“I heard people saying we should convert polytechnic colleges to degrees. I laughed and asked myself why? If you want to progress to a degree, it is okay, but you do not destroy polytechnics, otherwise all industries will crush down by graduates only speaking too much English without any technical ability.”

On the increment of salaries for lecturers, Prof Murwira said people need to be patient until the economy stabilises and this can be achieved after they work hard in revitalising the economy.