TIME LINE: Zimbabwes Major Education Policies and developments

in the education sector since1980 to date

1980
Zimbabwes Independence.
Free Primary Education for All. (Dakmara, 2010)
1982
Government through the Ministry of Community Development
and Womens Affairs initiated the Early Childhood Programmes in
rural areas using a community approach (Chigwedere, 2005).
1986
The Education Plan- an attempt to match schooling with
vocational qualifications that were recognized by the industry,
introduction of Zimbabwe National Craft Certificate (ZNCC)
(Chigwedere, 2005).
1987
The Education Act. (Mawere, 2013) & (Munjanganja & Machawira,
2014).

1988

 Early Childhood Programme was transferred to the Ministry of

Education, Sports and Culture whose main responsibility was to
administer and standardize the Programme (Chigwedere, 2005).

1990

Emphasis on the creation of research based curriculum and improving teachereffective use of materials. (Stateuniversity.com, 2016)
Re-introduction of tuition in urban primary schools.

1992

HIV/AIDS and Life Skills Programme was incorporated into the curriculum.
(Chigwedere, 2005).

The Adult Literacy Programme aimed at according access to education to

previously disadvantaged members of the society (Chigwedere, 2005).

Implementation of ZIMPREST- it advocated for the decentralization of certain

functions to local authorities- some schools run by local authorities. (Rukuni,
1998)

1996

1998

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Education and Training (CIET) was
set up to establish ways of increasing access to education (Dakmara, 2010)
(Constantino, Tsvere, & Nkhonde, 2014) It was led by Chairperson Dr Caiphas
Nziramasanga (Mawere, 2013).

Abolishment of ZJC exams following the recommendation of the Nziramasanga

Commission of Inquiry which found them to be irrelevant in modern world
(Agere, 2014).

1999

2001

Introduction of Basic Education Assistance Model (BEAM) as a

social net. Pays levies, school exam fees for children from
disadvantaged families (Stateuniversity.com, 2016).

2004

An amendment to the Education Act of 1987 (Chigwedere, 2005).

Seke Teachers College started training ECD teachers.
Establishment of the National Gender Policy which seeks to
address gender insensitivity through education and training
amongst other issues-it was set up after the Beijing Conference.
(Stateuniversity.com, 2016).

Government developed the National Action Plan of Zimbabwe

(NAP), Education for All Towards 2015 as a blueprint for EFA goals
(Chigwedere, 2005)

2005

2006
Introduction of ECD in all primary schools incorporating 2year
ECD phase into the formal primary school system. (Munjanganja
& Machawira, 2014) and (Unesco, 2013).

Adoption of the Two Pathway Education System which offers skills

in Technical and Vocational subjects and Business/ Commercial
subjects to cater for the interest, aptitude, and demands of the
students world of work. (Constantino, Tsvere, & Nkhonde, 2014).
2014
Curriculum review, with emphasis on practical subjects
(Stateuniversity.com, 2016).
Teacher Capacity Development Programme aimed at upgrading
teachers in various areas so that they acquire skills to cope with
the demands of the new curriculum (Dube, 2015)
2015
The Ministry of Education released the Zimbabwe Education
Blueprint 2015-2022-aimed at exposing the learner to the
disciplines of science, technology, engineering, mathematics
and heritage studies (Mawonde, 2015)
2016
Teacher
Professional
Standards
(Stateuniversity.com, 2016) .

(TPS)

launched.

References
Agere, H. (2014, April 26). The Sunday May. Retrieved March 15, 2016, from The Sunday
Mail: http://www.sundaymail.co.zw
Chigwedere, A. (2005). National Action Plan of zimbabwe 'Education for All Towards
2015'. Harare: Ministry of Education Sports and Culture
Constantino, P., Tsvere, M., & Nkhonde, M. (2014). The Zimbabwe Two Pathway
Education Curriculum:Insights Into Policy Implementation Challenges and Opportunities .
International Journal of Advanced Research in Management and Social Sciences , 162173
Dakmara, G. (2010). Zimbabwe Curriculum Review Concept Paper. Harare: UNESCO.
Dube, S. (2015, September 24). Chronicle. Retrieved March 16, 2016, from Chronicle:
http://www.chronicle.co.zw
Mawere, D. (2013). Evaluation of the Nziramasanga Report of Inquiry into Education in
Zimbabwe, 'the Case of Gender Equity in education. International Journal of Asian Social
Science , 1077-1088
Mawonde, A. (2015, October 14). The Herald. Retrieved March 15, 2016, from The
Herald Web site: http://www.herald.co.zw
Munjanganja, L., & Machawira, M. (2014). National Education For ALL Review :
Zimbabwe. Harare : UNESCO.

Rukuni, C. (1998, April 20). All Africa . Retrieved March 16, 2016, from All Africa Web
site: http://www.allafrica.com
Stateuniversity.com. (2016, March 12). Retrieved from Net Industries:
http://www.education.stateuniversity.com
Unesco. (2013, September 24). Unesco.org. Retrieved March 16, 2016, from Unesco
Web site: http://planipolis.iiep.unesco.org