FIFTEEN schools gathered at Sandringham High School in Norton last week to
display various projects they are practising at their schools.
Schools have embarked on income-generating projects, which have brought about
fruitful results to the education system. These projects emanated from the
competence-based curriculum, under which learners are equipped with skills that will
not only prepare them for further training and the job market, but skills that will also
enable them to create their own jobs through various entrepreneurial undertakings.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary for Primary and Secondary
Education, Tumsang Thabela, highlighted the need for parents to be more informed
of the current education system as it is will lead the nation towards socio- economic
development.
“Most people have developed negative attitudes towards the so-called new
curriculum because of its many subjects and demands, but it has been brought to
light that its results might be long-term but fruitful for life for the children and the
nation at large.
“Parents should understand what education their children should get. They don’t
realise that what we did was limited, it clipped your own potential but we shouldn’t
allow the next generation not to explore. They should explore as much as they can,
said Thabela.
On the issue of inclusivity, the Permanent Secretary announced that the Government
will this year provide materials and equipment to candidates sitting for Science
subjects, a measure meant to accommodate disadvantaged learners.
Schools are encouraged to have projects which will also help the learners during
their learning process.
Exceptionally good projects were displayed on the day. These included tailoring,
bakery, architecture, hairdressing, dairy farming, piggery, crop production, art and
design, to mention a few.
In May this year, adjudicators were assigned to visit schools in Mashonaland West
Province to assess projects in schools where Sandringham School came number
one,
Chinhoyi High School was second, while Sanyati Baptist came third.
Sandringham High has 20 projects running at the school. These have contributed to
good results because the learners have a lot of exposure and are putting into
practice all the subjects of the competence-based curriculum.
In an interview, the head of the school, Tinashe Manhera, said that they are
implementing the competence-based curriculum well because projects are
sustaining the school and also producing well-equipped learners.
We are running big projects successfully as per Ministrys regulation and producing
good results. The issue of staff retention is also a contributory factor towards our
success, because if you don’t retain your able staff members, you will not improve
results and this is also made possible through embarking on these income-
generating projects,Learners also showed appreciation of the show and the current learning process.
Junior journalist at the school, Moreblessing Gadze, said: We are happy to be
learning to become professionals at an early stage.
It was a beautiful day as learners showcased different skills and talents.
The winning schools went away with a cow, three goats and two goats for first,
second and third position respectively.
