Staff Reporter
The Government has introduced the National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Policy, which is set to improve the quality of education in vocational institutions.
Speaking at a Post Cabinet briefing yesterday, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa informed the nation that the TVET policy was aimed at transforming the education system from education 3.0 to education 5.0.
"As the nation may recall, the Second Republic is on a trajectory to transform the education system from the traditional Education 3.0 model which prioritised Teaching, Research and Community Service to one that puts emphasis on Teaching, Research, Community Service, Innovation and Industrialisation and is termed Heritage-Based Education 5.0," said Minister Mutsvangwa.
Minister Mutsvangwa added that the policy seeks to align education and skills training in order to promote wealth creation and entrepreneurship opportunities, inline with the thrust of the Second Republic which seeks to transform all learning in tertiary institutions to focus on the advancement of national development.
The Minister further noted that the TVET policy was anchored on pillars such as reconfiguring and strengthening programme infrastructure; strengthening human capital infrastructure; developing and maintaining physical and digital infrastructure.
Minister Mutsvangwa also said that the TVET policy would see Government coming up with an inclusive and sustainable financing model on grants and loans to TVET institutions by Government itself, Banks, Pension Funds and the Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund (ZIMDEF).
Minister Mutsvangwa further outlined that the Government would introduce a work for fees programme to help the disadvantaged students, stating that the policy would also apply to all Government-owned or private institutions which offer vocational education.
“Government will introduce a Work-for Fees Programme in all TVET institutions to alleviate the plight of students from vulnerable backgrounds, and establish hybrid companies that commercialise TVET innovation products and services.
"Technical Vocational Education Training Policy will apply to all Government-owned or private institutions which offer technical and vocational education," said Minister Mutsvangwa.
Meanwhile, the Government appreciates the role being played by the private sector towards provision of technical and vocational education through financial contributions to ZIMDEF.
