via Govt to introduce foreign languages at primary school – NewsDay Zimbabwe October 12, 2015
GOVERNMENT says it will soon introduce major international languages such as Portuguese, Swahili, French and Zulu at primary school level in addition to vocational and technical skills training in order to produce multi-skilled pupils.
BY AARON UFUMELI
Primary and Secondary Education minister Lazarus Dokora made the policy announcement while officiating at the ground-breaking ceremony of Acacia Junior School at Madokero Estate, Tynwald in Harare last Thursday.
“Our primary and secondary education will now have greater emphasis on the teaching of sciences, vocational and technical skills, ICT as well as major languages used in the country, and in Africa like Portuguese, Swahili, French and Zulu. The emphasis on the teaching of arts and culture in schools will also help shape and enforce positive attitudes in our students,” Dokora said, adding the new thrust was in line with recommendations of the Nziramasanga Commission.
Acacia Junior School, the brainchild of Fundo Foundation, is expected to have completed construction of its infrastructure early next year.
Speaking at the same event Fundo Foundation chairperson, Nyasha Zhou said it was his company’s way to complement government’s efforts in providing quality education to all children and that it is their small contribution in line with government policy in that regard.
“Within the next two years, we expect all the infrastructure to have been completed and the school to be fully-fledged, and with the blessing of the parent ministry we look forward to extending this institute to boarding facilities,” said Zhou.
COMMENTS
At a time when the government is battling to cope with the civil servants wage bill and civil servants are losing their jobs, you want to add more foreign language teachers. Please explain where the money will come from.