A senior government official has called for the rebranding and upgrading of the country’s education system to address the ever-rising socio-economic challenges and unemployment levels.
BY OBEY MANAYITI
In a statement read on his behalf by principal director in the Office of the President and Cabinet Albert Chikondo, deputy chief secretary Justin Mupamhanga said there was need to rebrand the country’s education systems.
“In recent years the relevance of education has become an issue of national concern as the current education is not fully addressing the socio-economic needs of the country,” Mupamhanga said.
“This is evidenced by the increasing levels of unemployment, especially among the youth including university and college graduates.
“The 2012 population census shows that the youth aged 15-34 years constitute 84% of the unemployed population.
“The Zimbabwe 2012 population census also revealed that Zimbabwe has a young population with 77% of the population being children and youth below 35 years of age. This human resource will go to waste if learners are left with no skills.”
He added that most economies have realised the need to upgrade and improve their education programmes in response to the emerging skills of the 21st Century.
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Speaking at the same roundtable consultative workshop on skills development organised by the UNESCO regional office for Southern Africa, Minister of State for Liaising on Psychomotor Activities in Education Josaya Hungwe said skills development in the country need strong collaboration among government ministries, development partners and captains of industries, among others.
Hungwe also called for improved appropriate practical skills development and increased employment creation.
UNESCO regional director for Southern Africa Hubert Gijzen said technical and vocational education and training was important in the educational system as it deals with the shifting labour markets, growing youth unemployment, migration trends and technological advancement.
The roundtable consultation workshop was attended by renowned educationalists, among them Fay Chung and Caiphas Nziramasanga.
The consultative workshop was meant to develop a common understanding of the psychomotor concept, discussing how the concept can be infused into education and training as well as to share global and regional trends on education, training and skills.
