170 teachers drop out of universities

170 primary and secondary school teachers who enrolled at different universities under the recently introduced teacher capacity building programme have dropped out after finding their studies difficult. The teachers were the first batch of 2500 enrolled at local universities to pursue both diploma and degree studies in languages, early childhood development, science, information communication technology and vocational and technical training.

Speaking to The Herald on the sidelines of a curriculum review workshop in Masvingo, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Dr Sylvia Utete-Masango said:

We enrolled 2 500 teachers at 5 different local universities to undergo training in areas of need that include languages, sciences, early childhood development, technical and vocational skills. This was after President Mugabe supported the introduction of a new curriculum but we are worried that 170 teachers have already dropped out after finding the going tough.

The 5 universities are Great Zimbabwe (languages), Midlands State University (ICT), Bindura University for Science Education (sciences), University of Zimbabwe (vocational and technical training) and Zimbabwe Open University (early childhood development). Government is responsible for paying tuition for beneficiaries of the programme.

More: Herald