The Chronicle
15 February 2013
The Government is mulling plans to re-introduce the Zimbabwe Junior Certificate (ZJC) in a bid to improve the national pass rate.
The ZJC examination was suspended in 2000 when hyperinflation pushed it running to unaffordable levels.
In an interview on Wednesday, Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart, said the re-introduction of ZJC could be done once it was approved. “Once we have reviewed our existing curriculum, the Ministry will make sure it revives the junior certificate to evaluate the performance of pupils. This of course would be done after recommendations from educationists, not politicians or lawyers,†he said.
Minister Coltart said it was practical to incorporate the examination in the school calendar especially for practical subjects. “It may be that we go back to ZJC especially for practical subjects like woodwork,†said Minister Coltart.
However, he emphasized the re-introduction of ZJC was subject to the curriculum review process.
“At the moment, there is no policy in the country that determines the re-introduction of ZJC. It’s re-introduction can be determined by the curriculum review process, which looks at examinations in the country,†said the Minister.
He said the low O-level pass rate for last year was because of less attention paid to practical subjects.
“People are horrifies about the 18,4 percent pass rate but the do not recognize that not all children are academically gifted. That is why we emphasize the need for the teaching of practical subjects,†said Minister Coltart.
In a separate interview, prominent educationist and politician, DR Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, said the re-introduction of ZJC would go a long way in improving the education system.
“ZJC should be re-introduced as a step towards improving the learning of children. It has been neglected for a long time. You can not judge the effectiveness of education with cost by hammering its introduction. Education is a process and it should start at ZJC level. There is a long siesta between Grade 7 and O-Level exams, which I feel contributes to the long string of poor academic performances recorded in recent years, “said Dr Ndlovu.
Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association chief executive officer Mr Sifiso Ndlovu said the re-introduction of ZJC would go a long way in improving the education system. “The re-introduction of ZJC means the evaluation of varying aptitudes and, thereafter, channeling pupils to areas of specialty. It will be done in a manner that the education system becomes a two-way system, giving chance to practical or vocational and academic learning,†he said.