The Herald
28 July 2009
GOVERNMENT has called for local authorship of books following a decline in the publications written and published in local languages.
In a speech read on his behalf by Secretary for Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Dr Stephen Mahere at the official opening of the Zimbabwe International Book Fair Indaba yesterday, Minister David Coltart said the shortage of local publications has denied children the opportunity to enjoy books written in their mother language.
“Children have a right to enjoy what they read and what is read to them. I am therefore calling upon you to write novels, stories, poems and jingles for the Zimbabwean child,” he said.
Minister Coltart said it was also Government policy to enhance and increase capacity of individuals by using education materials locally produced in school curriculum.
“My ministry has been restructured to reconstitute and strengthen the curriculum development unit with a total of 35 materials production officers in languages, humanities, science and vocal technical subjects to encourage local authorship.”
He said the ministry was a major user of books when developing individuals.
“To this end, Government is in the process of resuscitating and strengthening the National Library and Documentation Services so that it can monitor the delivery services throughout the country,” he said.
Mr Coltart said a new council for the NLDS was appointed and has already started work.
He said Government, with a number of its social partners, embarked on a campaign to ensure that pupils have basic textbooks in the core subjects.
“This will create independent learners in pupils and enhance quality education delivery.”
The Zimbabwe International Book Fair which is an annual event draws its participants from local and international writers to promote dialogue and rights exchanges between writers.