Educationists have expressed mixed feelings over the government’s plans to build more schools in the country to improve educational standards, with some welcoming the move, and others saying the government should concentrate on improving the quality of education in existing schools before embarking on the ambitious program.
Deputy Education Minister Paul Mavima recently said that the country requires an additional 2000 schools to reduce the teacher-pupil ratio from the current 1:70 to 1:30.
ZIMTA chairman Sifiso Ndlovu told Studio 7 his organization has been recommending the building of more schools to the government for quite some time now, adding the move would be enhanced by the recently introduced teacher capacity building program and improve the quality of education.
Ndlovu added that adding blocks of classrooms to existing schools would also help alleviate the problem of pupils learning in the open air during unsuitable weather conditions.
However, former Education Minister David Coltart, says contracting Chinese companies to build schools in the country constitutes a misappropriation of funds, as Zimbabwean companies can also accomplish a similar task, including repairing and furnishing existing schools and teachers’ cottages.
Coltart explains to V-O-A’s Sithandekile Mhlanga other necessary steps that should be taken to revamp the education sector.
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Interview with David Coltart