Source: Heritage-based curriculum now compulsory – herald
Debra Matabvu-Senior Reporter
ALL schools in Zimbabwe will be required to adopt the Heritage-Based Curriculum as their core syllabus from next year, with foreign curricula such as the Cambridge International Education pathway offered only as an optional add-on, subject to approval by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
The move is intended to standardise learning across the country and ensure that all pupils receive an education grounded in Zimbabwe’s history, culture, languages and national development priorities, while still allowing schools to offer international qualifications as a supplement.
At present, Zimbabwe’s education system operates under three main curricula.
Government, council and mission schools primarily teach the Heritage-Based Curriculum (HBC).
Some private and trust schools offer both the HBC and the Cambridge curriculum, formally administered by Cambridge Assessment International Education.
Meanwhile, Harare International School and a few similar institutions follow the International Baccalaureate (IB), a globally recognised programme headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, mainly catering for expatriate and diplomatic communities.
The three curricula differ in orientation and focus.
The Heritage-Based Curriculum is designed around Zimbabwe’s national values, heritage, indigenous knowledge systems and socio-economic aspirations, with an emphasis on science, technology, skills development and local languages.
The Cambridge curriculum follows a British-based international examination system, with external assessments and globally benchmarked standards.
The International Baccalaureate offers inquiry-based learning programmes aimed at developing globally minded learners, with internationally standardised assessments.
Responding to questions in the Senate last week, the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Torerai Moyo, said the new guidelines would begin to be enforced next year in line with constitutional provisions.
“According to Section 63 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, everything that is learnt in the country is supposed to be taught under the same curriculum, which is given by the Permanent Secretary,” he said.
“If we are to look at the Constitution of Zimbabwe, we realise that the Heritage-Based Curriculum is the one that is supposed to be learnt in all schools.”
Minister Moyo said Cabinet had considered the matter and resolved that the Heritage-Based Curriculum would become mandatory in all schools, regardless of ownership.
“As of now, we have three curricula,” he said.
“The Heritage-Based Curriculum is taught in Government schools, council schools and church schools. Other private schools offer Heritage-Based Curriculum. We also have what we call the Association of Trust Schools (ATS) and independent colleges and other private schools that offer Cambridge. We also look at Harare International School, which is for the children of ambassadors. They have what they call the International Baccalaureate, which they use.
“If we are to look at this law, the Bill was presented to Cabinet and we said that all the schools in the country are supposed to teach the Heritage-Based Curriculum.”
Under the new framework, schools wishing to continue offering Cambridge will be required to formally apply to the Secretary for Primary and Secondary Education, outlining how they intend to implement it alongside the mandatory national curriculum.
“To those who want to continue doing Cambridge, they will do it as an option. However, they have to first write a letter to the Secretary of Primary and Secondary Education explaining how they are going to do it,” said Minister Moyo.
“That is to say, Heritage-Based Curriculum will be the first and they will also be doing Cambridge.”
He said the policy shift was driven by concerns that some schools were neglecting Zimbabwe’s history and indigenous languages.
“This is because we realise that many schools no longer teach the history of Zimbabwe — where we came from and where we are going,” Minister Moyo said.
“Our indigenous languages, which include Shona, Ndebele, Kalanga, Shangani and Tonga, are not taught in many ATS schools. They are now learning French, Chinese and no longer learning our local languages.
“So, we encourage that by the year 2027, all the children in Zimbabwe be taught the Heritage-Based Curriculum and also be learning indigenous languages. We are not saying they must not do international languages like French and German.”
Government is also strengthening teacher training and capacity-building to support nationwide implementation of the Heritage-Based Curriculum.
The Heritage-Based Curriculum (2024–2030) seeks to equip learners with skills, values and attitudes for life and work, integrating science and technology as part of Zimbabwe’s broader skills development and industrialisation strategy, while embedding national identity and cultural heritage at the centre of the education system.
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