THE NEW Minister of State for Liaising on Psychomotor Activities in Education and Vocational Training, Josiah Hungwe, says his main task will be to integrate primary education and vocational training, so the country produces educated and productive personnel. EVERSON MUSHAVA CHIEF REPORTER
In an interview at State House before he was sworn in by President Robert Mugabe on Wednesday, Hungwe said he would assess training needs of pupils from primary education right to tertiary and vocational levels.
“We need to assess the training needs of pupil’s, right from primary level and determine training needs and identify the type of trainers needed to develop the identified skills,” he said buoyantly.
Mugabe brewed a shocker on Tuesday when he announced his new Cabinet, with Hungwe’s portfolio grabbing all the attention.
Observers interpreted Mugabe’s decision to create such a portfolio as a way of managing politics in the factitious Masvingo province, after Hungwe’s political rival, Dzikamai Mavhaire was appointed the new Energy minister.
Mavhaire and Hungwe are believed to be heading warring factions in the province.
“It is not a new task for me,” Hungwe said. I have been in the education sector for a long time.
“We will ensure that we fully implement the (Caiphas) Nziramasanga recommendations, so Zimbabwe does not produce only educated people, but productive people (as well).
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“Being educated and productive are two different things.
“People should be able to put to effect what they have learnt. This is where we come in to synchronise primary, secondary and vocational training.”
A report on education was produced in 1999 after Mugabe set up a commission of inquiry into education, led by University of Zimbabwe lecturer Caiphas Nziramasanga.
The Nziramasanga Commission (1999) recommended that the curriculum be tailored to suit essential skills and employment requirements.
This is the first time since independence that such a ministry has been established.
In the past, some psychomotor activities fell under the Higher and Tertiary Education ministry.
