Story by Lisa Masuku-Kurira
THE fourth edition of the National Education Summit has commenced in Matabeleland South, focusing on the need to empower teachers with digital skills that speak to the demands of the 21st century.
The edition brought together educators, policy makers, innovators, and investors who deliberated on the importance of enhancing digital literacy among teachers in line with the needs of the contemporary education system.
“We are dealing with children who are technology savvy. It is important for us to be innovative and keep up with digital trends,” Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe Spokesperson, Mr Thembakuye Moyo said.
“We have to adopt 21st century teaching models, so we must be digitally literate,” National Education Summit Chief Executive Officer, Ms Violet Nkathazo said.
The need to establish rural digital hubs was also highlighted as crucial in promoting inclusive teacher and learner development.
“There should be rural digital hubs so that inclusive teacher learner development is promoted,” ZIMTA CEO, Dr Sifiso Ndlovu said.
Students also used the platform presented by the summit to demonstrate how the heritage-based education framework is empowering them to be innovative and creative.
“I invested in this magnet-powered vehicle using recycled material. I used wood and magnets. The Heritage-based curriculum has taught me to be creative,” a learner said.
“I created this tyre wheelchair. I did this project for the disabled,” another learner said.
Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Honourable Angeline Gata, said the summit comes at a time when the government is on a drive to build home-grown solutions in driving industrial and digital transformation.
“The Summit comes at a defining moment as we continue to modernise our curriculum to improve our outcomes. This year’s summit is held under an important theme. The key question is how we collectively move from policy to real impact. Our responsibility goes beyond administration. We are shaping our future leaders and scientists. We remain fully committed to ensuring no child is left behind.
“Policies alone do not educate a child. A policy does not connect a rural school to technology. People do what dedicated teachers do. Together, we are gathered to build homegrown innovative solutions so that we can close those gaps and drive that transformation. Our teachers remain the backbone of our education system. We must ensure our teachers are fully equipped. Retooling our teachers is no longer optional; it is a necessity,” she said.
The four-day summit is running under the theme: ” From Policy to Practice: Driving Innovation and Investment in Zimbabwe’s Education System.”
