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Social work school closed over poor curriculum

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MASVINGO - Christ College, an affiliate of Great Zimbabwe University (GZU), has been ordered to stop its social sciences programmes by the Council of Social Workers (CSW) after the courses were deemed sub-standard.

MASVINGO – Christ College, an affiliate of Great Zimbabwe University (GZU), has been ordered to stop its social sciences programmes by the Council of Social Workers (CSW) after the courses were deemed sub-standard.

Report by Tatenda Chitagu/Obey Manayiti

The college has been operational for several years as an affiliate of GZU and was offering diplomas and degrees, including masters and PhDs, in Social Work.

Although the responsible authorities at the college denied receiving orders to stop the programmes, the CSW confirmed the development saying the former’s curriculum had shortcomings.

Registrar of the CSW, Makalima Mlilo, said they assessed the curriculum at Christ College and observed deficiencies.

“In July 2012, we had a curriculum review of Christ College which was then followed by a field visit in January 2013. Those inspectors discovered that the programmes had some shortcomings. We then explained this to their affiliate university in this case GZU. GZU and ZIMCHE (Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education) is aware of our position,” said Mlilo.

He said they had to suspend the programmes until the college put its house in order.

An official from Christ College, only identified as Professor Mahiya, became emotional when contacted for comment yesterday.

“We had a meeting with them (Council of Social Workers) and they said they would give us their recommendations, but they never came back to us. I am hearing this from you.”

“It’s actually unlawful to stop those programmes. What will happen to the students we are enrolling?” he queried before bursting in a fit of rage describing the CSW as a “rotten organisation”.

GZU information director James July could neither deny nor confirm the development.

“I will have to talk to my boss (Professor Rungano Zvobgo, GZU Vice-Chancellor) first, then I will come back to you,” July said.