Source: Shava defends heritage-based education –Newsday Zimbabwe
Shava defends heritage-based educationTHE country’s heritage-based education 5.0 mandates curriculum reforms that emphasise local content, national development research focused on establishing partnerships that promote industry-related skills rooted in cultural heritage, Higher and Tertiary Education minister Frederick Shava has said.
Shava was speaking during the Zimbabwe Open University silver jubilee of the book titled Open Doors, Open Minds: ZOU’s Silver Jubilee Reflections while celebrating the university’s 25 years of existence.
Speaking during the ceremony, Shava said the government introduced the heritage-based education 5.0 to dismantle past colonial educational bottlenecks, while fostering an environment where indigenous knowledge and modern science converge to produce innovative solutions required by the society.
“This strategic approach ensures that our higher education sector supports both our economic growth as well as upholds our cultural sovereignty, thereby empowering our people to shape their future through education.
“Heritage-based education 5.0 also calls upon us to root our curriculum in the rich culture and history of our nation. To do this effectively, we must develop concepts and produce literature that is culturally relevant, that is contextually grounded and that is intellectually rigorous,” he said.
Shava also noted the role being played by ZOU in promoting accessibility and inclusivity in higher education.
“It has, indeed, embraced a decentralised delivery model, establishing a regional campus in each province and we have been shown the various leaderships in this regard in the provinces, and district centres to support regions in some select districts, thereby facilitating proximity of educational opportunity to the doorstep of the student.
“ZOU has become a valuable beacon of hope for numerous individuals who might otherwise have been deprived of access to conventional brick and mortar institutions,” he said.
Shava said the institution was showing commitment and dedication to the academic excellence of the country.
“We applaud the institution for its unwavering commitment and dedication to academic excellence and the strategic initiatives implemented through bolstering of faculty qualifications, research advancement, innovation and, indeed, community engagement.
“ZOU aligned itself with the second republic’s vision of heritage-based education 5.0 as exemplified by its specified STEM course programmes and cutting-edge research initiatives designed to cultivate innovation and entrepreneurial skill sets,” he said.
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