Staff Reporter

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has re-affirmed his Government’s commitment to provide universal free and compulsory basic education with effect from 2023.

President Mnangagwa said this during a United Nations High Level Summit on Transforming Education taking place in New York.

“Going forward, my Government will progressively provide universal, free and compulsory basic education with effect from 2023,” said the President.

In his presentation the President also highlighted that despite the economic challenges faced by Zimbabwe due to the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the United States (US) government, education sector remains largely funded by Zimbabwean Government.

“Despite the economic challenges exacerbated by over two decades of illegal economic sanctions, our education sector remains largely Government funded. Currently, the Ministries responsible for Education account for more than 6% of GDP and approximately 17% public expenditure. This is in line with the benchmarks stipulated in the UNESCO Agreement,” he said.

According to President Mnangagwa, the adopted Education 5.0 philosophy coupled with Science, technology and innovation as well as Zimbabwe’s rich heritage creates key tenets for education ecosystem. This will consequently churn out talented, competent and skilled young learners capable to produce goods and services to meet Zimbabwe’s current and future needs.

Furthermore, President Mnangagwa said his Government had operationalized ancillary strategies that will aid to domestic financing of education in Zimbabwe.

The Second Republic has since adopted Innovation and Industrial Parks into self-sustaining commercial ventures as a means to reduce burden of education on communities and to the fiscus. Currently Government is working on other enablers to accelerate the education transformation agenda.