No More Maths Requirement For Zimbabweans Training To Teach Indigenous Languages
Students seeking to become secondary school teachers of indigenous languages in Zimbabwe will no longer need Mathematics to qualify for training.
The change was announced by Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister Dr Frederick Shava during the Hwange College of Education graduation ceremony.
The Government says the decision is intended to attract more trainees into indigenous language programmes and address the shortage of specialist teachers.
Also Read: Minister Wants Maths & Physics To Be Taught In Shona, Ndebele & Other Local Languages
Indigenous Language Training Goes Nationwide
According to The Herald, the policy was first introduced in Matabeleland North, where teacher training focused on ChiNambya and ChiTonga.
The programme has since been expanded to cover indigenous languages across the country.
Minister Shava said the expansion is in line with the Constitution, which requires the State to promote and develop Zimbabwe’s languages, including sign language.
He said removing Mathematics as a prerequisite would make the profession more accessible to prospective indigenous language teachers.
“This deliberate policy shift is designed to widen access into the teaching profession and to strengthen the pool of trainees who can carry forward the teaching of our indigenous languages,” Shava said.
326 Graduates Produced Since 2019
Hwange College of Education has already produced hundreds of teachers through the indigenous language programme.
Since its introduction in 2019, the institution has recorded 137 ChiNambya graduates and 189 ChiTonga graduates.
The combined figure stands at 326 graduates across the two language programmes.
ChiNambya produced 13 male and 124 female graduates, while ChiTonga recorded 77 males and 112 females.
Shava said the growing pool of trained teachers would help improve classroom instruction while protecting the country’s linguistic and cultural heritage.
Secondary Teacher Programme In The Pipeline
The Government is now preparing to introduce specialist training for secondary school teachers of indigenous languages.
The programme will complement the existing primary teacher-training courses.
The move is expected to create a stronger pipeline of qualified teachers for indigenous languages at both primary and secondary school levels.
College Research Tackles Community Challenges
The graduation ceremony also highlighted the Government’s push for tertiary institutions to produce research with practical benefits.
Shava praised Hwange College of Education for partnering with the National University of Science and Technology on research into human-wildlife conflict.
The collaboration has resulted in a Memorandum of Understanding between the two institutions.
The minister encouraged other colleges and universities to work more closely with industry and communities.
He also called for innovations emerging from tertiary institutions to be patented and developed into practical products and services.
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