The Sunday News
Richard Muponde, Gwanda Correspondent
AT least 289 pupils have benefited from the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programme with $324 465 having been spent by the Government in Matabeleland South on their school fees as the science programme gathers momentum in the province.
This was revealed by the Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, Dr Godfrey Gandawa recently. Out of all the schools in the province, 16 have benefited from the programme.
Addressing delegates and pupils at STEM Awards at Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic last week, Dr Gandawa said pupils should be empowered through sciences so that they become competitive for the available jobs in the market.
“There is a need to equip learners with knowledge and values that guarantee economic growth and increase opportunities for employment creation, well rounded citizens who are relevant nationally and competitive globally,” said Dr Gandawa.
He said parents should help their children in guiding them on what degrees to pursue.
“There is serious useless learning at most of our universities where students just go to get a degree. What made me think about this are the demonstrations by some graduates demanding jobs. I then asked do they have the right skills for jobs in the industry. If I take those who demonstrated I might find that they don’t have any requisite skills,” said Dr Gandawa.
He added, “Instead of demonstrating why can’t they be innovative? Or if they are relevant why can’t they employ themselves?
I have realised that 90 percent of the graduates don’t have the skills to industrialise the country. It might be controversial but that’s the practicality of things hence we introduced STEM. If we had that percentage with skills there was no need for Stemitising.”
The Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development launched the STEM initiative on 27 January this year. So far 5 132 pupils have benefitted out of 265 schools country wide with the Government forking out $4 522 711, 14 of school fees through Zimbabwe Development Fund (Zimdef). Twitter: @richardmuponde
