Staff Reporter
Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU) has criticized markers for the poor 2020 results that saw an increase in number of schools from Matebeleland recording zero per cent pass rate at grade 7.
ZAPU spokesperson, Iphuthile Maphosa said an increase in Matebeleland’s poor grade seven results is influenced by markers who are suspectable pushing ZANU PF ideal to uneducate people of their region.
“Examination marking as it stands leaves a lot to be desired. We feel the region is deliberately being failed by markers whom we suspect are perpetuating the agenda of ZANU PF to uneducate Matebeleland,” Maphosa said.
Adding to his comment, Maphosa also said they no longer have confidence in the current marking process and urged that marking be done locally.
“We have no more confidence in the marking process in its current form. Marking must be localized and be done in a way that does not disadvantage other children while giving undue advantage to others,” the ZAPU spokesperson said.
Of all the 88 schools that recorded zero percent pass rate, 31 schools were from Matebeleland districts.
Furthermore, 10 worst schools that recorded 0% pass rate are also from Matebeleland.
Bulawayo did not have a school in the top 40 schools with best pass rates in the country.
Harare consisted of 9 of the best 10 ranked schools and Aspindale Park School topped the rankings.
Moreover, Maphosa blamed the government for all this, saying the deployment of teachers who are not versatile to the regions’ language and traditions has affected the region’s quality of education.
“Government deploy teachers who are non conversant with the languages, traditions and customs of the people from Matebeleland. This compromise the children’s quality of education at an early age.
“We find ECD and grade 1 or 2 teachers who cannot speak fluent Ndebele, some can’t even tell what is a plate in local language,” revealed Maphosa.
The ZAPU spokesperson further blamed the government indicating that it is deploying secret service operatives, thereby disguising them as teachers.
He pointed out this as a continued ZANU PF strategy of denying Matebeleland tertiary education.
Maphosa bemoaned the deployment of secret service operatives stressing that they have no educational background to teach pupils whilst parents rely on them.
Also teachers have urged Government to work with mobile network providers so that data for online lessons be affordable.
The 2020 national pass rate stood at 37,11 percent compared to 46,9 percent recorded in 2019, translating to a decrease of 9,79 percent.
Statistics from the Zimbabwe Schools Examinations council (Zimsec) showed that the total number of candidates who sat for the 2020 Grade Seven examination was 327 559.
This figure is 1,35 percent higher than the 2019 entry of 323 207.
