New curriculum attracts Sadc countries: Dokora

THE new education curriculum which Government plans to implement in January next year has already attracted attention from Sadc countries with South Africa preparing to send its pupils to attend school in the country to tap into the new system.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister Dr Lazarus Dokora on Wednesday told about 1 700 headmasters attending the 26th National Association of Primary School Heads (NAPH) conference here that Namibia had also requested to have a look at the curriculum with a view to adopting it.

“I had a meeting with South Africa’s Minister of Basic Education (Angie Motshekga) who said her country will be sending pupils to learn in Zimbabwe from Form 1 up to Form 4 because they want to tap into our new curriculum,” he said.

Dr Dokora said South Africa, whose education sector is filled with Zimbabwean teachers, wants to train teachers locally as the neighbouring country seeks to benefit from the quality of the local education system.

“South Africa wants to participate in our curriculum and if they start training their teachers here, don’t you see opportunities in that? Namibia also took the document for perusal because they are interested in it and you hear some of you saying they don’t want to implement it,” he said.

Dr Dokora said the crafting of the new curriculum was a long journey which started with a mere budget of $1,3 million out of the required $18,7 million.

He encouraged school heads to “lead from the front because it’s essential that we get its implementation right the first time.”

With a literacy rate of 92 percent, added Dr Dokora, Zimbabwe has an asset that should be utilised and all stakeholders should strive to push that rate to 100 percent.

“Learners are excited and we shouldn’t fail them because this is their opportunity.

“It is therefore imperative for all school heads to give priority to the implementation of the new curriculum which should be your guide every day.

“Government has given you the stewardship of the new curriculum so you should have the ability to communicate with all partners involved,” he said.

NAPH president Mrs Cynthia Khumalo said the conference is meant to reflect on challenges and opportunities coming with the new curriculum as they draw closer to implementation period.

She said school heads were ready to implement the new concept and take education to another level.

“This is the 26th conference which is wholly about the new curriculum as we look at challenges and opportunities it brings.

“Some of the challenges coming up are to do with resources and the Ministry is saying let’s use available resources to equip ourselves and learners to attain skills,” Mrs Khumalo said.

e conference started yesterday and ends today. — @ncubeleon