VP Chiwenga’s family contributes to innovation drive
THREE learners from Chivaraidze Primary School in Goromonzi are basking in academic glory after attending the International Avishkaar Game League Robotics Competition in New Delhi, India through the benevolence of Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga’s family.
Chivaraidze Primary School is in a farming community and its catchment area is made up of previously marginalised communities who never dreamt of participating in trendsetting global competitions.
The Avishkaar is a platform for young innovators to learn next generation technology skills like robotics, artificial intelligence, internet of things (IoT), electronics, app development and coding.
Participation in such global competitions prepare learners and equip them with skills at an early age that addresses national development activities towards a competitive, modern and industrialised country focusing on problem-solving for value-creation as enshrined by the education 5.0 model.
Under the Education 5.0 model, Zimbabwe’s State universities have been configured to drive innovation in tertiary education for national development and also the country’s industrialisation agenda.
Primary and secondary education schools are now warming up to this new trajectory envisioned by President Mnangagwa of developing the country through science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
It is against this background that Chivaraidze Primary School sent three learners to the competition – Mazvitaishe Madzingautswa (9), Keylah Kambarami (8), and Lindah Ncube (8).
VP Chiwenga’s wife, Colonel Miniyothabo Baloyi-Chiwenga, was at the Robert Mugabe International Airport with the children’s peers, parents and school authorities to welcome them back.
“As a family we take pride in partaking in the realisation of President Mnangagwa’s vision of a knowledge based education model. We also take pride in positively impacting the young people’s lives,” said Colonel Chiwenga.
“Our team was the first primary school in Zimbabwe to attend, and the first in Africa to attend, and the first all-girls team to attend so we are very excited about it.
“As a school we do not exist in a vacuum, we are very aware of what Zimbabwe is doing, what the Government is doing in trying to promote innovation in children.
“We took a calculated, well thought out decision that in order for our children to fit in the Government policy of education 5.0 they have to start when they are young.
“So, that innovative mind can be developed and when they reach tertiary and professional level they will be at par with their international counterparts because that is where the world is going.
“Other schools in Zimbabwe who have not introduced this kind of education that inculcates innovation in learners at an early stage should start doing so before it is too late because as a nation you have to be able to develop your own innovations.
“If you cannot develop, you will be buying from other countries, importing and the import bill will be high. It’s not good for the country,” said Colonel Chiwenga.
One of the learners Kudzaishe said the trio enjoyed the competition and are motivated to continue developing their innovation skills.
“We were building robots and competing with others,” said Kudzaishe.
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