By Munacho Gwamanda-The government has announced plans to recruit over 8,000 teachers to implement a revamped education curriculum and improve the quality of learning nationwide.

This initiative, set to begin in the first school term on January 14, 2025, aims to reduce the teacher-pupil ratio, enhance hands-on learning, and replace the controversial Continuous Assessment Learning Activities (CALAs) system with a more practical approach.

Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Dr Torerai Moyo, highlighted that this recruitment builds on the hiring of over 5,000 teachers in 2024, which significantly reduced class sizes. The new drive targets a teacher-pupil ratio of 1:30 or 1:35.

“We’re also addressing the challenges faced by teachers in remote areas, including offering hardship allowances for those traveling long distances,” said Dr Moyo.

He added that the government has solar-powered 150 rural schools this year, with plans to expand the initiative in 2025.

To bridge the urban-rural education divide, the government is upgrading facilities in rural areas, constructing 2,800 schools to reduce the distance learners travel, and ensuring access to digital tools and learning materials.

Dr. Moyo noted that decentralising teacher recruitment allows for better deployment to underserved areas. 

This strategy ensures that even remote schools are staffed by qualified professionals.

“Some teachers prefer working close to home, but decentralisation helps us fill gaps in rural areas with competent candidates,” he said.

While the average African child walks 15km to the nearest school, post-colonial Zimbabwe has reduced this to 5km. 

Additionally, only one in 10 Zimbabwean children under nine struggle with literacy, compared to nine out of 10 across the continent.