Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education in Zimbabwe

Historical and current educational perspectives are epistemologically challenging to weave together. The contributors brought together in this book have risen to that challenge and, in the process, have produced a detailed and thorough account of the issues and processes at play.Science, Mathematics, and Technology (SMT) education is recognised globally as a means of developing critically needed human capital. In Zimbabwe, SMT subjects constitute a significant component of the curriculum which, since political independence in 1980, has emphasised application-oriented, experientially-based teaching and learning. Efforts to mainstream this approach have resulted in several significant reforms to the country’s education system. Relatedly, there are ongoing attempts to boost uptake in SMT subjects and, through them, to develop such professional skills as problem-solving, lifelong learning, teamwork, critical thinking, and the capacity to contribute and adapt to our rapidly changing world.There is a self-evident need to document progress made in these efforts and, in the process, to carefully examine issues at play, challenges met, and solutions developed. This book, developed through a partnership involving Zimbabwean editors and authors, was developed to fulfil this need. It is long overdue.

“The book significantly contributes to STEM education in Zimbabwe and possibly the entire SADC region. The book addresses the critical areas of instructional and scholarship challenges in Science, Mathematics and Technology education in Zimbabwe. It stresses how research, policy and practice have contributed to its development. A strength of this book is the multiplicity of ideas proffered by the authors. The book should be a valuable resource for policymakers, educators and researchers in STEM education throughout Southern Africa.”—Andile Mji, Professor of Mathematics Education and Dean of Faculty of Education, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, “If you want to know about the Zimbabwean Science, Mathematics, and Technology education system, this book is for you. I am recommending this book because it explains in detail the challenges faced by Science, Mathematics, and Technology education in Zimbabwe and possible solutions.”—Louis Sibanda, Chairperson, Department of Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education, National University of Science and Technology (NUST), “The book is a crucial contribution to Science, Mathematics and Technology education in Zimbabwe and globally. It puts into perspective the relevant research activities that can be pursued in imparting Science, Mathematics, and Technology education and deliberates on policies implemented to improve its teaching and learning in Zimbabwe. It offers the opportunity to scrutinise strategies used to deliver Science, Mathematics and Technology education to the Zimbabwean nation and identify ways to improve them.”—Benias Nyamunda, Doctor of Chemistry and Acting Dean of Studies in the Department of Chemical and Processing Engineering, Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences

Brantina Chirinda is a research associate at the Department of Science and Technology Education, University of Johannesburg (UJ) and a visiting research fellow at the University of California, Berkeley. Dr Chirinda holds a PhD in Mathematics Education from the University of Witwatersrand. Lwazi Sibanda holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Education and is an Associate Professor in the Department of Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education, in the Faculty of Science and Technology Education at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Zimbabwe. She is currently the Executive Dean in the Faculty of Science and Technology Education.Joseph Vere holds a BSc General (London) degree in Mathematics and Physics, as well as MA, EdM, and EdD degrees in Mathematics Education from Columbia University. He is recently retired after having worked in six different capacities in the education sector over a fifty-year period.Gladys Sunzuma, PhD, is a lecturer in the Science and Mathematics Education Department at Bindura University of Science Education. Gladys has served for seven years as a high school mathematics, physical science, integrated science, and chemistry teacher in Zimbabwe, three years as a teaching assistant in the Education Department at Bindura University of Science Education, and eleven years in the current position as a lecturer at Bindura University of Science Education.