By Gilbert Munetsi
Before the review of the education curriculum — a development that subsequently ushered in Zimsec as an examination board for public examinations — scholars, particularly of the Arts, studied setbooks whose authors had either long passed on, or lived in faraway foreign lands.
Students never dreamt of ever meeting with writers of works they studied, let alone ask pertinent questions relating to the set books they would be studying.
Playwright William Shakespeare, poet Chaucer, novelist William Faulkner were some of the writers whose works were prescribed as part of the syllabus by Cambridge and other external exam boards for students studying literature, for instance.
The same would go for subjects such as Geography and History where they would be compelled to read the likes of Pritchard and Goh Cheng Leong for case studies such as sugar in Natal, rubber in Liberia, Chitemene in Zambia, among numerous other topics.
Fast forward to the 2000s and a new curriculum was developed where the emphasis was “local is lakka.”
A domestic syllabus was introduced where Zimbabwean writers were given preference, and then did we begin to see the likes of Charles Mungoshi and Shimmer Chinodya being read for ‘O’ and ‘A’ Levels examinations in Literature.
Interestingly, some of these writers would actually be invited to give lectures to students and physically answer questions relating to their works.
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According to Rosemary Mugadzaweta, the director of Munesu Foundation Trust, when a comprehensive “in-house” curriculum is coupled with relevant career guidance, the result is a young scholar facing the world with the right career choice.
More often than not, she argues, a student can go as far as ‘A’ Level without having made a decision of what he or she wants to do in life, a development she describes as “catastrophic.”
Many end up taking career paths just for reasons of having the required qualifications and yet they do not possess the passion needed for the respective job market, she says.
A social worker who spent many years working in SA, returned home to establish her foundation to cater for the needy.
Last weekend, Mugadzaweta and her team organised a career guidance event for more than 150 scholars from around Chitungwiza with the aim to equip the young souls with knowledge and insights into desired career paths.
She invited experts from various professions such as education, the clergy, medical, accounting and entertainment to spent the day with the children, share tips as well as inspire them.
Chitungwiza-based musician Baba Machanic Manyeruke was the guest of honour and walked the participants through the path that can mould a worthwhile musician.
“I come to make a presentation to you, fresh from having been conferred with a NAMA Lifetime Achievement award for my contribution to the sector of music.
“But let me hasten to say, its been a long and arduous journey to be where l am today. l went just as far Grade Three, but my career choice was made long before that education level.
“l believe l was born a musician and with the support of my parents and other people in society, l was able to fully discover my potential,” Baba Manyeruke told the young gathering, emphasising on the need for parents to support their children make the right choices.
Established two years ago, the thrust of Munesu Foundation Trust is to cater for vulnerable children who are more susceptible to challenges associated with the deprivation of basic rights.
Such fundamental rights include education, food and shelter.
“We aim to find alternatives to complement government efforts in dealing with socio-economic inequalities that compromise children’s safety.
“Such inequalities increase the likelihood of and subject children to engaging in risky behaviours such as suicide, rape, drug and substance abuse.
“Munesu Foundation Trust works with like-minded stakeholders in different communities to ensure that vulnerable children have access to basic necessities and socio-economic goods and services that promote health and social well-being,” Mugadzaweta told Standard Style.
Held at the Chitungwiza Publicity Association premises in Zengeza 4, the fun-filled day was punctuated with poetry, song and dance and also had artiste Thucash performing.
Several people with disabilities were also invited to be part of the programme.
