Over 9,000 trained teachers unemployed

Chakalisa Dube | Wednesday November 22, 2017 19:01

 

He was briefing the councillors about the ministry’s plans to launch an Outcome Based Education (OBE) strategy.

“Through the introduction of the OBE strategy, we intend to absorb a majority of the 9,000 graduates who are currently in our database. Some graduates who will be absorbed through the strategy might be forced to teach learners under trees because there is shortage of classrooms.”  The OBE, he said is going to have multiple pathways where students would be placed according to their potential in preparing them for the positive outcome.

“I plead with you, councillors, to make sure that during your budget sessions you allocate funding for additional classrooms in primary schools across the city. This will help us address shortage of classrooms when we launch the outcome based education strategy.”

Goya said that the government is currently working with various stakeholders to secure funds to implement the strategy. He would not disclose exactly when the strategy would be launched, but said that the intention is to launch it as soon as possible. Goya added that his ministry’s plans to speed up the introduction of early childhood education in most primary schools across the country have been frustrated by shortage of classrooms.

“Out of the 755 primary schools around the country, 471 have surplus classrooms, which has allowed us to fully launch early childhood education. We have not been able to fully launch the initiative (early childhood education) in 284 schools owing to shortage of classrooms. That is why I plead with you to allocate enough budget for the construction of classrooms.” Earlier, the councillors highlighted that the ministry was moving at a snail's pace with regard to the introduction of early childhood education in the city’s primary schools. 

In another revelation, Goya noted that the ministry might soon be forced to ban vending near schools.  “We are concerned about the growing levels of drug and substance abuse in most schools across the country. We discovered that some of those who operate vending stalls near schools are the ones responsible for selling drugs to learners. We are working with law enforcement officers to address the trend.

“However if the trend does not cease, we will be left with no option, but from banning vending near schools.”