Story by Mhlomuli Ncube, Assistant News
RESEARCHERS and education experts from Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states have convened in Bulawayo for the Southern Africa Association for Educational Assessment Research Forum.
The meeting is focusing on the standardisation of examinations across the region, with participants sharing research, best practices and strategies to strengthen assessment systems and improve the quality and comparability of education outcomes.
“In Zimbabwe, education remains one of the most powerful tools of empowerment, it is what families invest, what students hold on to, and what communities depend on,” Bulawayo Junior Mayor Tinomudaushe Danielle Makovere said.
Drawing participants from all the examination councils of SADC member states, researchers taking part in the Indaba spoke widely on the standardisation of regional education.
“Harmonisation of our examinations is critical for shared experiences as a region, it is also an advantage for the learners as well,” Umalusi South Africa representative Ms Tsholofelo Madise said.
“This is a critical forum; standardisation for regional Examinations is long overdue. Member states must create this reality using the charter,” National Examinations Council of Tanzania Head, Dr Alfred Mdima said.
While also looking at inward gains, host country Zimbabwe is of the strong conviction that for education to provide citizens with maximum benefits, SADC member states must pull in one direction.
“By convening here today we re-affirm our shared vision to ensure that educational assessments practices across our region are not only credible, valid and reliable but also responsive to the evolving needs of our learners and our societies, I am informed that one of the core pillars is the benchmarking of educational assessments practices across member states, it is therefore both timely and fitting,” Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Honourable Torerayi Moyo said.
As Zimbabwe is also raising its education bar, the country is citing the importance of a heritage-based curriculum that offers solutions for national development.
