Govt Mulling Commercialising Practical Subjects In Schools

In a bid to promote economic self-sustenance, the government is planning to commercialise teaching of practical subjects in schools, The Herald reports.

This was revealed by Primary and Secondary Education Minister Cain Mathema:

All public schools have enough land to venture into commercial agriculture. Schools should now venture into commercial agriculture because all public schools have the land to do that. This is the vision, which is in line with Government’s efforts of achieving an upper middle income economy by 2030.

Subjects like metal work and woodwork are part of the manufacturing sector which needs to be done commercially in schools. For example, schools in Bulawayo alone have the capacity to revive the industrial hub in Bulawayo. Some schools are manufacturing personal protective equipment against Covid-19. If some schools are sewing their own uniforms, I do not see why it cannot be done profitably

Mathema said schools must look for investors to help them kickstart and sustain their projects and they should use proceeds from the projects for school development:

In some instances, schools must engage investors, and I can tell you that there are companies who have engaged me with a view of partnering some schools in certain projects. Profits from these projects should go towards school fees. Education must be free. It must also cater for the accommodation of teachers and the uniform of learners. All children have the right to education and our immediate target for December 2021 is parents should not pay exam fees for public exams. It should be funded by the profits from their projects.