The Zimbabwean education curriculum was formulated in a barbaric approach that it has left many university students in dismay. Most university students in Zimbabwe do not know how to relate their programs as solutions to the economy of Zimbabwe. They have a mentality of learning and learning new things each semester, graduate and “find jobs”. As a first year university student, I was given an assignment by my communication skills lecturer which stated “As a first year student how can the knowledge obtained from the program you are doing be a solution to the socio economic problems in Zimbabwe”? Being given this assignment I realised that it was not all about learning and passing with distinctions but it was about implementing the information . I am currently studying an Accounting Science with the Women‘s University in Africa.
I agree that there are exceptional people who have graduated from our school systems. We need to start looking at reality and change if we are to integrate ourselves into the global environment.
The current system is producing graduates who are headed for foreign lands to seek greener pastures. It is very disheartening to note that behind counters of small tuck shops that have mushroomed around Zimbabwe one is most likely to be a University graduate. Each year we have more and more University graduates coming through to join those sitting at street corners and contemplating on raising money for a bus to South Africa. I have often asked myself, are we that proficient. No we are not. We have many University graduates performing menial jobs outside Zimbabwe. This gives me an impression that contrary to what many Zimbabweans think, we are not that good. So what do we need to do my fellow countrymen?
We need to start learning to be practical. We have to develop graduates who are capable of solving Zimbabwe's own problems. We have engineers who fail to implement simple strategies to save towns and cities. We have untrustworthy accountants who have positions of trust in every institution in this country. We have doctors who fail to research on anything significant. We have professionals in every field busy vending and doing cross boarder vending. People need to go back to basics and start solving problems. If this is incorporated into the school curriculum then at least we are one step away from being an economic powerhouse in Africa.
When I look at my grade one report, there is an area which was emphasised by my kindergarten teacher and it was called problem solving skills. I think this should happen at every stage of our school curriculum.
Please note that these are my views and I am open for discussion.
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| They have a mentality of learning and learning new things each semester, graduate and “find jobs”. |
The current system is producing graduates who are headed for foreign lands to seek greener pastures. It is very disheartening to note that behind counters of small tuck shops that have mushroomed around Zimbabwe one is most likely to be a University graduate. Each year we have more and more University graduates coming through to join those sitting at street corners and contemplating on raising money for a bus to South Africa. I have often asked myself, are we that proficient. No we are not. We have many University graduates performing menial jobs outside Zimbabwe. This gives me an impression that contrary to what many Zimbabweans think, we are not that good. So what do we need to do my fellow countrymen?
We need to start learning to be practical. We have to develop graduates who are capable of solving Zimbabwe's own problems. We have engineers who fail to implement simple strategies to save towns and cities. We have untrustworthy accountants who have positions of trust in every institution in this country. We have doctors who fail to research on anything significant. We have professionals in every field busy vending and doing cross boarder vending. People need to go back to basics and start solving problems. If this is incorporated into the school curriculum then at least we are one step away from being an economic powerhouse in Africa.
When I look at my grade one report, there is an area which was emphasised by my kindergarten teacher and it was called problem solving skills. I think this should happen at every stage of our school curriculum.
Please note that these are my views and I am open for discussion.
Written By Tinotenda Mutambara for Arthur Mutambara
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