Staff Reporter
Government has taken a significant step toward improving the education sector by approving the recruitment of 4,000 teachers in the first quarter of the year. This is part of a broader plan to hire 8,000 teachers in 2025, with the ultimate goal of reducing the teacher-student ratio to 1:20, ensuring quality education for learners across the country.
Speaking at the commissioning of a new learning facility at Southerton Primary School in Harareyesterday, the Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Angeline Gata, confirmed the recruitment process was already in motion.
“We are very grateful to the Treasury and the Public Service Commission, who have given us the green light to recruit 4,000 teachers in the first quarter as per plan. We have already submitted our documents to the Public Service Commission, indicating where we need teachers and for which subjects,” said Deputy Minister Gata.
She emphasised that once the recruitment process is complete, the Ministry of Public Service and the Ministry of Finance will handle the hiring and payment of the new teachers.
Beyond hiring teachers, the Government is also prioritising schools’ infrastructure development to create a conducive learning environment for students.
Deputy Minister Gata highlighted on-going efforts to build modern school facilities and upgrade existing ones.
“As schools expand, this will help children to have adequate and safe spaces to learn in. It also enables us to deliver quality education and improve the health and safety of our children. This aligns with NDS1 and His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s vision of an upper-middle-income economy.
To achieve this, the Government is utilising funding from the Treasury, the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), and public-private partnerships (PPPs) to enhance schools infrastructure,” she stated.
Southerton Primary School Head, Akim Chiura,highlighted that the newly commissioned classroom block consists of five interactive classrooms, marking a step toward modernising education through information and communication technology (ICT).
“In line with NDS1, we have incorporated ICTs in the teaching and learning process. The new block is ICT-compliant, as we recently purchased eight projectors, eight projector screens, and interactive boards to bridge the technology gap,” said Chiura.
The new infrastructure was made possible through collaborative efforts between the School Development Committee and parents, demonstrating the importance of community involvement in education development.
With these initiatives, Zimbabwe is making significant strides toward enhancing the quality of education, ensuring smaller class sizes, improved facilities, and modern teaching methods. As the recruitment process begins, thousands of learners across the country can look forward to a brighter and more effective learning environment.
