A local residents’ association has said increased private-public partnerships (PPPs) could help improve the quality of education in light of the challenges facing the sector.
Results of a research conducted by the Bulawayo Progressive Residents’ Association (BPRA)’s research unit show that although it is the onus of every government to avail and fund education, “this responsibility is outsised and complex for the government of Zimbabwe to meet sufficiently”.
“An education industry producing the needed human capital for the development of this country needs the aid of the corporate world,” the association said.
“Its performance affects and determines the quality and magnitude of Africa’s development and indeed that of Zimbabwe. BPRA said the inclusion and participation of the corporate world needs to be prioritised.
“Public-private partnerships offer a less radical alternative to the sometimes controversial and less desirable wholesale privatisation.”
The association said examples from Pakistan and India show that a partnership that has seen the involvement of information technology companies in the education sector with the resultant improved access to leading edge technologies.
“Zimbabwe can also learn from the experience by engaging industrial companies in Metalwork education, clothing companies in Fashion and Fabrics and culinary entities in Food and Nutrition tuition.
“Already, football teams have realised this avenue with Bantu Rovers adopting Mzilikazi High School, sponsoring it with soccer skits and equipment,” BPRA added.
