“National Strategic studies” syllabus at primary school level starting from January this year, the Zimbabwean has been informed.
Primary school teachers who spoke to the Zimbabwean strictly on condition of anonymity said the new syllabus has been incorporated as part of the social studies subject taught at primary schools. The teachers said the new syllabus covers subjects similar to those which were taught at the notorious Zanu (PF) youths indoctrination border Gezi training centres such as the liberation war history, the role of chiefs, sanctions and other issues such as sovereignty and governance.
“Schools were surprised when they received a circular during the first day of the term from the Ministry introducing this new syllabus. Schools were just given the syllabus and the directive to teach the subject without any back up material such as text books. We do not know the motive of the government by rushing to introduce this demanding subject at this level of education,” said a teacher at a Bulawayo school who refused to be named for fear of victimization.
Another teacher at a local primary school also confirmed to the Zimbabwean the introduction of the syllabus at the school.
“We have already started teaching the subject at the school starting from grade four. Our major challenge is that there are no text books for the subject and we are just teaching things from our heads,” he said. The National and Strategic Studies were first compulsorily introduced in polytechnics, colleges and universities by the previous Zanu (PF) led government five years ago. The studies have however attracted the ire of students for being bias towards Zanu (PF) interests. Some of the previous question papers for final examinations for the subject seen by the Zimbabwean contains controversial questions like:” Which political party in Zimbabwe represents the interests of imperialists and how must it be viewed by Zimbabwean?” Another on the paper was:” African leaders who try to serve the interests of imperialists are called what and how do you view patriotism?”
Strenuous and repeated efforts to get a comment from the minister of Education, David Coltart were all in vein as his mobile phone went continuously unanswered each time the Zimbabwean tried to call him. The minister had also not responded to questions send to via his e-mail.
Post published in: News