History Teachers Association of Zim launched

HISTORY teachers from the 10 provinces of Zimbabwe met at a local hotel in Nyanga recently and launched the History Teachers Association of Zimbabwe.

A substantive leadership was elected on the same day which was tasked with implementing the resolutions the delegates had put forward during their deliberations.

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education endorsed the gathering by sending a high powered delegation from Head Office led by Mr Tomax Doba, the director responsible for secondary education.

“We are committed to quality education. With that in mind, there is a learning area association desk in my ministry. As a ministry, we support the formation of History Teachers Association of Zimbabwe and will give it technical support whenever we are able to do so,’’ he said.

202 delegates descended upon Nyanga in a vibrant mood to launch the long awaited association. District schools inspectors across the length and breadth of Zimbabwe were in attendance.

Manicaland Provincial Education Director, Mr Edward Shumba, gave the opening remarks where he interspersed his welcome remarks with facts and figures which underlined how the province was a shining example of an academic powerhouse.

‘‘The wise men in the Bible came from the East. Manicaland had 213 ‘A’ level students who garnered 15 points and above in 2017. 272 pupils had 5 points at Grade 7 with Chancellor School alone having 38. In addition, 1 280 students got 5As and above at ‘O’ level last year. It is in light of that I believe the History Teachers Association of Zimbabwe will add value to the teaching/ learning situation in Zimbabwe,’’ Mr Shumba said.

Various speakers among them Advocate Arthur Marara, Mrs Musegezi Mashango and Dr Patrick Ngandini, gave inspiring presentations. Mr Maziriri, the Kwekwe Schools Inspector, noted that History teachers’ teaching methodologies should be in tandem with global changes.

‘‘Evolve from the talk and chalk method into helping the learners to learn. As teachers, remember that in the new dispensation, it is business unusual,’’ he said.

The voting process involved a province seconding a person to the national executive and then the 10 would form an electoral college to fill the executive posts at national level.

Consequently, the national structure is as follows: President - Mr Manners Musongelwa; Deputy President - Mr Anyway Sadziwa; Secretary General - Mr Zirecho Simoyi; Deputy Secretary - Mr Mtawarira; Treasurer: Mr Marozva. The committee members are: Mr Munetsi, Mr Chidakwa, Mr Muchida, Mr Tandi, Mr Maposa, Mrs K. Muzhamba, Ms Grace Tariro Machakaire and Mrs Ruby Tandeni Mangwende.

It remains to be seen whether the association will be able to steer the ship and successfully lobby Government to make History retain its status as a core subject.