Gwanda South legislator, Omphile Marupi, has raised concern over what he described as deep-seated challenges within the constituency’s education system, warning that poor subject choices, weak discipline, and limited parental involvement are leaving learners ill-prepared for tertiary education and employment.
In a constituency update issued on February 4, Marupi acknowledged improved pass rates at some schools but said the gains were being undermined by systemic problems, including non-payment of school fees, substance abuse among pupils, lack of homework supervision, and a curriculum that does not adequately align with career pathways.
“Many learners are doing seven or eight subjects, but the question is — seven or eight subjects of what value?," he wrote.
Marupi cited combinations dominated by non-practical subjects such as Family and Religious Studies, Heritage Studies, Mass Display, Physical Education and Ndebele Literature.
He expressed concern that at A-level, learners were enrolling for four or five subjects that offered limited pathways into university programmes, despite the requirement being three A-levels.
“As a result, many cannot qualify for anything meaningful after Form 4 or A-level,” he warned.
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In an interview with Southern Eye, Marupi said while poverty was a factor, parents and communities could not continue deflecting responsibility to government.
“Paying school fees is every parent’s responsibility,” he said.
“Where parents genuinely cannot afford, schools and even universities have ‘work-for-fees’ programmes.
"What we need is commitment.”
Marupi said subject selection and career guidance should be driven by school administrations through expos, company tours and guidance programmes, with parental support.
“If communities can fund soccer tournaments and prize-giving ceremonies, what stops them from organising career guidance programmes at cluster level?” he asked.
On discipline, Marupi blamed weak parental supervision, particularly for children living with relatives.
“We cannot afford children loitering at business centres late into the night, some even drinking with adults,” he said.
The MP also dismissed claims that schools lacked digital learning tools, saying many institutions in Gwanda South had acquired Starlink internet connectivity through government support, alumni initiatives and a constituency programme he introduced.
He added that school libraries were also being revived, citing Bethel Primary School as one example.
“The bigger challenge now is that our children no longer have a reading culture,” Marupi said.
Bulawayo-based social commentator Effie Ncube said Marupi’s concerns reflected a broader national crisis in education planning, arguing that Zimbabwe’s curriculum remained poorly aligned with the country’s economic and industrial goals.
“Our education system must be aligned from primary school right up to university with the economy we want to build,” Ncube said.
“Learners are choosing subjects that are easier but not transformative, and that makes it harder for them to find employment.”
He said education should be a driver of industrialisation and economic growth, warning that failure to reform subject pathways would continue to produce graduates who do not match labour market needs.
Ncube also stressed that student discipline required a collective response involving parents, schools, communities and the state.
“Young learners have easy access to alcohol and drugs, which shows a gap between policy and enforcement,” he said, calling for tougher regulation alongside early education on the value of schooling.
Another education analyst echoed the need for early intervention, arguing that practical subjects, sciences and sport should be prioritised from primary level to prepare learners for both university and life beyond formal education.
“Education with production must be emphasised early. Degrees are not for everyone, and that must be accepted,” the analyst said, adding that schools should extend supervised study hours to curb idle time at home.
Marupi said failure to urgently address curriculum relevance, discipline and parental involvement would have long-term consequences for the constituency.