By Wezhira Munya and Dr. Kudzayi Tarisayi (Senior Lecturer)
On August 9th, 2023, we unpacked the CCC blueprint on the provision of quality primary school education. As we continue to unpack the blueprint, today’s article focuses on the provision of secondary education to learners.
Zimbabwe’s education system was once highly regarded across Africa but has significantly declined under the ZANU PF-led government, according to experts. The opposition party, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), has outlined education reform as a key priority in its election blueprint.
The CCC blueprint devotes 6 out of 100 pages specifically to education, signaling its importance as a major campaign issue. The document sets out a comprehensive vision and proposed interventions across primary, secondary, and tertiary education levels aimed at revitalizing the sector.
At the primary level, CCC pledges to provide free education and eliminate examination fees to improve accessibility. For secondary education, the focus is on enhancing quality through increased funding, expanding infrastructure, and boosting teacher training and welfare.
“Thousands of students have been unable to transition from primary to secondary school due to unaffordable fees and other socioeconomic barriers,” said development expert Struggle Nyahunda.
“The CCC’s proposals to expand secondary school access through an affordable government grant and scholarships could help reduce these barriers,” observed United Kingdom-based educational psychologist Dr. Prosper Lunga.
The blueprint aims to construct new secondary schools and classrooms, provide free textbooks, upgrade facilities, and fill teacher vacancies across rural and urban areas.
According to Human Rights defender Mr. Thomas Mbetu, “These strategies, if properly implemented and funded, have the potential to significantly improve learning environments and outcomes.”
E-learning and ICT access are also emphasized as key tools to enhance quality. CCC pledges to provide computers for every student in secondary schools, which could aid technology-enabled learning.
Curriculum reform focused on sciences, technology, entrepreneurship, and technical skills is proposed to align with 21st-century needs. CCC also intends to review and abolish outdated practices like Continuous Assessment Learning Activities (CALAs), which are considered burdensome.
“A redesigned, modern curriculum incorporating new subject areas and pedagogies is essential, and care has been taken to involve diverse experts and follow evidence-based processes,” noted development scholar Mr. Jonah Wakurakurehwa.
While ambitious, the blueprint has been widely celebrated for adequately outlining how it will cover costs and funding models for the extensive proposed interventions.
“The CCC has outlined laudable education policies and managed to bolster its proposals by providing detailed and realistic budgets,” said educational psychologist Dr. Chidhakwa.
He highlighted that Zimbabwe’s strained public finances pose challenges, and major education expansion requires increasing the sector budget from its current 6% to the 15% Abuja Declaration target.
Overall, experts concur that the CCC blueprint signifies education reform as a major priority. If implemented judiciously, the proposed interventions could revitalize the sector. CCC will engage in pragmatic planning and sustainable budgets that are key to translating the vision into reality.
