Pupils in public schools across Zimbabwe will start learning foreign languages that include Mandarin, Portuguese and Kiswahili in a new curriculum.
“The new curriculum takes into account the local social-economics imperatives and global changes and continuing trends that have taken place since 199 when the Presidential curriculum Inquiry on Education and Training recommendations were made” reads the document according to the report by the Herald
Pupils will start learning the languages in order to take on life and work in a globalized environment. The introduction of the foreign languages is to ‘promote Ubuntu, equality, inclusivity, relevance and diversity as some of the principles’
The change has been welcomed by the Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZTA). According to ZTA’s Chief executive Sifiso Ndlovu, the introduction of the foreign languages will empower pupils with relevant skills.
“We have neighboring countries like Mozambique which use Portuguese as the official language of trade,” said Ndlovu. “We want our learners to be able to use such languages so they succeed in their pursuit of international opportunities.”
Mr. Ndlovu further said that the government of Zimbabwe should continue implementing the capacity development programme to empower teachers with necessary skills needed to implement the new curriculum. He added that the high teacher to pupil ration is also worrying, with the high school ration at 1 teacher to 50 students, although it should be at 1 teacher to 35 pupils and Primary at 1 to 40 when it should be 1 to 20.
“ We hop the Government will eventually heed our cries, hire more qualified teachers and pay our 2016 bonuses so as to motivate us to work harder in implementing this great curriculum” said Mr. Ndlovu
