MASH-WEST PROVINCE

Championing VOCATIONALIZATION

‘Creating Champions,Destinies and

Legacies For The 21st Century -- Reaching
Out For All Learners”

A PRESENTATION PAPER ON VOCATIONALIZATION IN MASH-WEST SECONDARY AND HIGH

SCHOOLS PREPARED BY MHUMA GABRIEL (A/PED-MASH-WEST) 2023

BACKGROUND TO VOCATIONALIZATION

The development of education and training has undergone a lot of transformations since
Independence.A lot of commissions into education were instituted with the view of improving
the output of the education system.

The notable commission of inquiry into education was the NZIRAMASANGA COMMISSION of
1999.The major highlights of this Commission on Vocational Education were as follows:

 For successful vocationalisation programme there was nee to have a National

Campaign to Reorient the nation to the dignity of labor and professionalize all jobs.

 Trade test learners on a wide range of competencies required by formal and informal
sectors.

 Tertiary institutions to organize mentoring sessions where college undergraduates on

vocational and technical training with pupils.

 Vocational Training Centres could also be utilized by Vocationalised Secondary School

System for Practical Subjects.

For success implementation of these recommendations were to be supported by policies and

regulations.

LEGAL FRAMEWORK

The program of vocationalization is guided by policies and government pronouncements.

Vocationalization was provided for by several acts of Parliament such as:

 National Manpower Planning and Development (1984 and 1994).

 Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund Act (1991).

 Manpower Planning and Development Act of 1994 which empowered the Minister of
Higher and Tertiary Education to promote vocational and technical education and
training.

RATIONALE FOR VOCATIONALIZATION AS MASH-WEST

Following our results analysis of 2021 and 2022 for both O’Level and A’Level there was a
realization that we were leaving a lot of learners behind.This being against our President’s
Mantra of ‘Leaving NO PLACE ,NO ONE BEHIND”.
Provincial Results for The Year 2022

O'Level Results for 2022

Pass
Failed

From the analysis given it can be drawn that only 25.8 % were able to pass while 74.2% failed to
make it to A ‘Level.This implies that either our assessment was wrong or we assessed them on
wrong competencies.
 A 'Level Results for 2022

pass
failed

From the results analysis it can be concluded that A’level was done to satisfaction as 89.8%
passed while 10,2% failed.This is a reflection of those who passed at O’Level.

As a Province we were left to seek answer to questions such as:

 What is wrong with our Assessment?

 Are our teachers competent enough?

 What is wrong with our Curriculum?

 Are we offering the correct package to our pupils?

In trying to come up with answers to the above questions we come to the conclusion that as a
system we were not offering a full package. We wanted a package that would cater of all type of
learners.A package that would speak to:

 Critical thinking

 Pragmatic skills

 Decision making skills

 Problem solving skills.

VOCATIONALIZATION IN MASH-WEST PROVINCE

Graph showing the uptake level of TECH-VOC Learning Areas

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From the Graph it can be deduced that 25/367=6.8 % are doing HEXCO courses while 93.2%
was not doing HEXCO.

It is against this background that as Mash-West we have decided to Champion the Process of
Vocationalization by initiating Pragmatic,Sustainable Interventions for the successful
vocationalization.

INTERVENTIONS TO ENHANCE VOCATINALIZATION

1.PROGRAM MARKETING Interface

 On 17 February an interface was held at Chinhoyi High.At the interface were officials
from HEXCO as well as ZimSec.

 This interface wanted to explain what HEXCO was offering as well how these two
assessment bodies were complimenting each other.

 The Target group was made up of Secondary and High School Heads .

 The interface was well attended with most Heads appreciating the need to Vocationalize.

 By their own admission most Heads confessed that they were not clear about the
courses offered by HEXCO.

From the interface it was agreed that Vocationalization was the answer to some of our
Challenges.
2. ICT AND AUTOCAD WORKSHOP

 This workshop was held at Mazvikadei from 15 February to 17 February 2023.

 The Theme of the workshop was ‘Embracing ICT In Teaching and Learning of TEC-Voc
Laerning Areas.

 The workshop drew participants from Heads as well as Head of Departments of all
schools of Mash-West Province.

3.VOCATIONAL EDUCATION STRATEGIC Uptake TRAINING(V.E.S.T)

Following a successful interface held at Chinhoyi High as well as that held at Mazvikadei,there
was need to share strategizes on how to implement the Vocationalization Process.

The rationale for V.E.S.T is to :

 Share strategize with the Head and HOD Technicals on how best to implement the Tech-
Voc Process.

 Ensure all learners are given a chance to exhibit their skills.

Level Targeted

 Lower 6

 Form 3

 Form 1

Vocationalization has to be based on the Profiling done at Primary Level.The performance of

the learner has to be recorded and following positive trends ,learners" area of performance will
be identified..To this effect, Profiling has to be properly done at Primary Level.As MashWest we
are going to ensure that our schools have embraced the aspect of learner profiling.Workshops
are to be organized with the help of Learner Welfare Department.

V.E.S.T Target Group

ALL Private and Public High and Secondary Schools in Mash-West are to attend.Each school is
to send Head and HOD Technicals.

Methodology

Holding Vocational Education Strategic uptake Training(V.E.S.T) in all the Districts.Trainings

are to be conducted by the Provincial Team and the District Team.

Areas To Be Covered During Our V.E.S.T

Area Justification
  Background To Vocationalization
 Rationale for
Vocationalizatio—Baseline
Information
 Legal Framework—Unpacking the
Two Pathway Policy(P77)
 Competence Based Curriculum
and Vocationalization
 Strategise For Starting
Vocationalization-Human
Resources Alignment
 Choosing TECH-VOC Learning
Areas basing on Local
Endowements
 Advantages of Vocationalization
 Unpacking HEXCO Courses
--For the participants to gain an appreciation of the
Program
--To expose participants on the obtaining situation
on the ground
--For the participants to understand that these
programs are backed by Policy.
--For participants to draw salient points raised in the
CBC in relation to Vocationalization.
--To expose participants to wide range of strategise
that can be used to mobilize for support in these
programs.
--To highlight to participants the need to select
proper Learning Areas that are local endowement
linked.
--To expose the participants to merits of the
Program.
--To assist participants to a wide range of couses
that our pupils can be exposed to.

TECHNICAL TEAM AT DISTRICT LEVEL

Each District is going to have the following officers to spearhead the implementation of
Vocationalization:

 District Schools Inspector----To ensure the Program is done

 Schools Inspector for Tech-Voc—For coordinating the schools

 District Life-Long Coordinator/s—coordinating independent schools---

 Human Resources---Human resource alignment

PROVINCIAL TECHNICAL TEAM

The Province has to ensure that there is adequate supervision and monitoring.The following
members to comprise the team:

 Provincial Education Director—Supervision

 Deputy Director SECNFE—Quality Control

 Director (FAHRD)—Human Resources Alignment

 Schools Inspector NFE—Quality Control

 Schools Inspector-Tech Voc-Quality Control

 Schools Inspector Infra-structure-Quality Control

TRAINING ITENARARY FOR V.E.S.T(Vocational Education Strategise uptake Training)

Date District Venue Responsible
19-04-23 Sanyati Jameson High District Team
20-04-23 Mhondoro-Ngezi Waverly High District Team
21-04-23 Chegutu P fupajena High District Team
24-04-23 Zvimba Murombedzi High District Team
25-04-23 Zvimba Kuwadzana High District Team
26-04-23 Makonde Chinhoyi High District Team
27-04-23 Hurungwe Chikangwe High District Team
28-04-23 Hurungwe & Kariba Chikangwe High District Team

After these trainings the following activities are going to follow

Period Activity
By 02 May 2023 Schools are to hold meetings with Parents ,Teachers and learners for
Enrolmet
Term Two Learners enrolled at Lower 6 for HEXCO.HEXCO introduced to Form 3
Learners
By 20 June 2023 Monitoring of the Implementation complete.
15 August 2023 Adjudication for a Champion Schools Towards Vocationalization
05 October 2023 Holding of a Tech-Voc Expo DAY at the Champion School.
Conclusion

For sustainability and applicability the District will be encouraged to continue supervising and
monitoring the uptake of Tech-Voc Subjects.A supervision Proforma is going to be drafted.This
proforma shall be used for termly supervisions.We envisage that OUR Pass rate at O’Level is
likely to increase.