Zim govt calls for teamwork in promoting quality education

Harare, (New Ziana) – The Zimbabwe government on Friday called for teamwork among stakeholders in the country to ensure citizens at all levels have access to quality education, a key enabler in promoting sustainable development.

Speaking at International Day of Education commemorations, Primary and Secondary Education permanent secretary Thumisang Thabela said the government was committed to empowering its citizens.

“Stakeholders must work together to promote access to quality education at all levels as individuals and organisations,” she said in
a speech read on her behalf by Ministry chief director, John Dewah (pictured left).

“The provision of education is going to be achieved through teamwork.”

Observed annually on January 24, International Day of Education was set aside by the United Nations to honour education and its centrality
to human well-being and sustainable development.

The event ran under the theme, “Learning for people, planet, prosperity and peace.”

Zimbabwe is well know for having one of the best education systems in Africa.

Thabela said education was not only at the heart of both personal and community development, but also a “powerful weapon in eradicating poverty and inequality, improving health and well-being and overcoming discrimination at all levels.”

“The mission is to help all people develop their talents fully and realise their creative potentials including responsibility for their own lives and capacity to contribute meaningfully to society,” she said.

Speaking at the same occassion, UNESCO regional director for Southern Africa, Professor Hubert Gijzen (pictured right)said education was key in attaining the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“Education is a major enabler for the achievement of all the other SDGs,” he said, adding it would be impossible to attain the targets if the goals set for education were not achieved.

SDG number Four aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Gijzen said one of the region’s biggest challenges in providing quality education was ensuring there was an adequate number of qualified teachers and providing the necessary environment for teaching.

Four out of five schools in the region lack electricity, which is important in the provision of quality education.
New Ziana