Teachers join Second Republic’s developmental bandwagon

Harare (New Ziana) –The developmental trajectory which the Second Republic is carving out is inspiring many, from various professions, to join hands with the government in pursuing the country’s growth agenda.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa said this on Wednesday at the launch of the Teachers for Economic Development (Teachers4ED), a grouping of educators who have banded together to play their part in the country’s development agenda through exploiting various economic empowerment opportunities outside their profession.

Several other groupings, including the Young Women for Economic Development, MenBelivED, and Mapostor4ED have also come on board in support of the government’s economic development agenda.

Addressing over 5 000 educators who converged in Harare from their various stations across the country, President Mnangagwa said it was pleasing that teachers, who often clash with the government over welfare issues, had decided to join in the developmental bandwagon.

“When I started hearing that there was a group called Teachers4ED, I was first told by comrade Patrick Chinamasa our secretary for Finance, I brushed him off. But I kept hearing information about this group, so I told your leaders when we met, that today is a day that I will never forget. This is one of the most pleasant surprises I have had in my career.

“And I am so inspired that our people, the people of Zimbabwe despite their callings and careers, we find patriotic persons across the board. Please take this to heart. I am saying it from the bottom of my heart that I am happy with you,” he said.

“This is testimony that under the Second Republic, there is no us and them. In the spirit of Ubuntu/ Hunhu, let us continue to reject divisive labels and choose unity, harmony and working in common purpose, for the good of our motherland.

“We are all Zimbabweans. As individuals and a collective under the umbrella banner of Teachers for Economic Development, you are a critical front in the defence of our independence, sovereignty and unique national identity and character.”

President Mnangagwa said the education sector was a strategic cog in Zimbabwe’s modernisation and industrialisation agenda.

“Through formal and informal education, the nation depends on our teaching fraternity to promote and pass on our culture, values, ethos and traditions as the people of Zimbabwe. Our collective national vision, hopes and aspirations for the future we all want, is best transmitted and implemented through our teachers right from the ECD level upwards. You, our teachers, have weighty national duties and obligations which must not be taken lightly,” he said.

“You must play your part and demonstrate that we are indeed the masters of our own destiny. In doing so, it is fundamental that you strike an intricate balance between your professional calling and economic enterprises.

“The high quality of our education sector must never be compromised. In line with our development philosophy of leaving no one and no place behind, our children must continue to have access to quality education, training and mentorship, no matter where they live.

“In this journey, I challenge you to remain alert and raise your individual and collective political consciousness. Reject those who may seek to derail your cause, founding revolutionary aspirations and the Pan-African values of your budding organisation.”

President Mnangagwa said the creation of the Teachers4ED grouping was a welcome development in the present national development epoch.

He said the initiative also came at a time when the government was instituting education reforms, which are envisaged to aid the speedy realisation of the National Development Strategy and Vision 2030 as well as Sustainable Development Goal Number 4, on inclusive and equitable quality education.

Further, he said, the reforms were broadening the implementation of the country’s Competence Based Curriculum and Heritage Based Education 5.0 philosophy.

The Teachers4ED initiative was also in keeping with the long-established relationship that exists between the ruling ZANU PF party, and the education fraternity, President Mnangagwa said.

“Informed by this relationship, our ZANU PF Party must remain closely connected with the education sector and the teaching fraternity immersed in the Party. We must never again allow any challenges or differences we may face as a people, to separate these two institutions,” he said.

“To this end, the integration of programmes and activities to capacitate your membership on both national and global developments must be scaled up. My Government and our Party ZANU PF, are ready to support you.”

President Mnangagwa said patriotic, committed, focused and loyal members of the education sector must be the drivers which enable both current and future generations to acquire relevant knowledge, skills and positive mindsets required to build, modernise, industrialise and develop Zimbabwe.

He said it was also incumbent upon the teachers to ensure that schools produce globally competitive graduates.

“On this note, allow me to recognise the successes that young Zimbabweans continue to score in various regional and international competitions. Locally, we are seeing widespread creativity, science and technology innovations as well as a patriotic student’s corps, who take pride in being Zimbabwean. This is due to the hard work of our teachers, well done,” he said.

Teachers also had a huge role to play in the context of the devolution and decentralisation agenda as well as the rural industrialisation drive, he explained.

“Do not be by-standers. Your impact must be felt beyond the classroom by availing and volunteering yourselves right at the ward and district levels, to build and modernise our communities.

“On its part, my Administration is supporting the inventions and innovations by our young people in schools and colleges. I commend the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education for creating Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Centres of Excellence. These incorporate Innovation Hubs which are helping to nurture science, technology and innovation mindsets by our students and will ultimately create the critical national human capital base to spur industrialisation,” he said.

He applauded the collaboration of the Chitepo School of Ideology; Zimbabwe Foundation for Education with Production and the Teachers for Economic Development, which cultivates a sense of self-belief and productivity-oriented mindset among the country’s professionals.

So far, over 6 000 teachers have undergone ideological training at the Chitepo School.

New Ziana