Senator wants Zimbabwe schools to teach mathematics in Shona, Ndebele

By Auther Chimbgwa

Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Senator for Harare Kudakwashe Matibiri has asked government to consider switching the teaching of Mathematics and other subjects from English to vernacular languages saying this could be a way to stem the declining pass rate in Zimbabwean schools.

In a question he directed at Primary and Education Minister Torerayi Moyo during the ministers’ question time in the upper house on Thursday, Matibiri suggested the “use of the mother tongue as a mode of instruction at ECD level” could be extended to higher Grades within the Zimbabwe school learning system.

“Given the importance of language to the teaching and learning process, do we have plans to extend the use of the mother tongue or native languages in the areas of instruction, assessment and evaluation?

“I make this point realising that probably the suppressed pass rates in our schools could be a result of our continued use of English as a mode of instruction, assessment and evaluation,” Matibiri said.

In his response, Minister Moyo said the desired switch from English to vernacular languages was “an issue of policy” that can best be initiated from parliament itself.

“I am sure the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Primary and Secondary Education can initiate dialogue, can come up with a way because they exercise oversight on the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education according to Section 119 of the Constitution which says, ‘Government departments and agencies are accountable to Parliament’.

“In other countries like China, all learners are taught in Chinese. In Russia, the same applies. So, it is an issue of policy where we may need to introduce that. It is an issue that can be introduced through a Private Bill.”

Minister Moyo challenged Matibiri to initiate a Bill that could foster the desired changes.

“May I call upon the Honourable Senator to initiate the Private Bill which would culminate in vernacular language as the language of instruction in all schools.

“According to his valid argument, if Mathematics is taught in Ndebele, Shona, Tonga, or any other local language, learners are likely to understand the concepts compared to the situation where the subject is taught in a foreign language like French, English and so forth.

“I now want to call upon him to initiate the process,” said the minister.

Currently, the use of vernacular language is mainly done at the infant level, ECD A, ECD B up to Grade 1.