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CALA here to stay, says govt

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

The government says the Continuous Assessment Learning Activities (CALA) framework will not be scrapped despite concerns by unions that its introduction did not take into consideration the impact of Covid-19 and lack of resources at schools.

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Tumisang Thabela, the permanent secretary in the Primary and Secondary Education ministry, told VicFallsLive in an interview on the side-lines of the Secretary’s Merit Award ceremony at Victoria Falls’ Mosi-oa-Tunya Secondary School that resistance against CALA was natural since it was a new thing.

“We take it as normal as some changes attract opposition because one thing about human beings is that they are not comfortable leaving their comfort zones,” Thabela said.

She said teachers and learners must understand that the newly introduced curriculum was meant to equip learners with 21st century skills.

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“It is those skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, communication and team building, leadership, technological advancement and enterprise as well as Unhu/Ubuntu (that inform the changes), “Thabela said.

“How do you teach leadership in an hour examination?

“So, all those theoretical things can’t really work for skills and competence for the 21st century and that’s why we said we have to come up with a different way of assessing learners as a means of planning.

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“So, the new assessment framework for 2021 carries the 30 percent of the final examination mark.

“It is thus imperative for schools to implement (CALA) as a policy directive giving a fairer way of determining what a child can do or make in addition to what a child can remember.”

Thabela said the combination of a continuous assessment and a high stakes examination will determine learner achievement levels in the various learning areas.

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Thabela said the CALA curriculum was a holistic assessment model that tracks a child’s potential.

“There are a number of children who have failed in their final exams because they lost a father or a mother, but at the summative, we don’t look at that, but the formative will then indicate the strengths of that child and we can then try and see how we can rescue that child,” she said.

Thabela said her ministry has moved from celebrating the aggregate figures as they only tested the memory to practical science and technology, e-learning, sport, arts and culture, welfare of learners, sustainable environment and school governance.

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“In the past, you will all remember that our focus was on the academic performance, but after the inquiry into education and training that was set up by the then president (Robert Mugabe) in 1998, the 1999 recommendations said that the model was not fit for purpose,” she said.

“It had no values that actually underpinned it, it was largely theoretical, and when the children went to higher and tertiary education and the industry they didn’t have any skills that higher and tertiary education could use to develop them further, neither did they have enough skills that industry would actually use and this then led us to change to a more holistic curriculum that speaks to every educational curriculum needs and what it needs is that every child should be identified where they are gifted and there is no child who comes empty.”

Council run Mosi-oa-Tunya and Chamabondo Primary School were awarded the Secretary’s Merit Awards that they scooped in 2017 and 2018 after exhibiting all round excellence in fulfilling the ministry’s mandate of offering a highly competitive and relevant 21st century child centred education product.

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The two schools were given a $1 300 000 cheque, mobile tables and certificates.

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National

RemitHope launches “100 for 10” campaign to raise $100K for grassroots organisations across Africa

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BY STAFF REPORTER 

RemitHope, a pioneering fintech social enterprise – founded by global philanthropist and social entrepreneur Tsitsi Masiyiwa – has launched a bold campaign to raise US$100 000 in just 60 days for 10 grassroots organisations serving some of Africa’s most vulnerable communities.

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The campaign – themed “100 for 10” – seeks to channel life-changing support to organisations on the frontlines of health, education, gender equity and community resilience.

The 10 beneficiaries span nine African countries, including Cancerserve (Zimbabwe), Cáritas Regional De Chokwe (Mozambique), Empowered Girls (Tanzania), Ewang’an Nadede Advocacy Initiative (Kenya), Child Restoration Outreach (Uganda), Hands of Hope (Zimbabwe), Bana Ba Metsi (Botswana), Njira Impact (Malawi), Phelisanong Children’s Centre (Lesotho) and Refugee Children’s Project (South Africa).

“The 100 for 10 campaign is intended to harness the transforming power of small acts of generosity into life-changing opportunities for communities too often overlooked. And every dollar given delivers hope, dignity, and the promise of progress,” Mrs Masiyiwa said.

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Running from September 15 to November 15, 2025, the campaign pivots RemitHope’s unique model of transparency, real-time storytelling and direct funding to vetted local partners, ensuring every contribution makes a measurable difference.

In a powerful show of commitment, and leveraging its network of donors and partners, RemitHope has pledged to match every donation given, dollar-for-dollar – effectively doubling the impact.

“If you give $5 it becomes $10, give US$50 and it becomes US$100. This is multiplying hope, opportunities, and futures with every dollar donated,” she said.

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The campaign builds on RemitHope’s recent success, where the platform raised over US$81 000 in funding to rebuild Mt Selinda Orphanage in Zimbabwe after a devastating fire swept through the institution.

That effort demonstrated RemitHope’s unique ability to mobilise rapidly, scale generosity and deliver urgent impact.

“We’ve witnessed how extraordinary things happen when people unite in moments of crisis. And now, with 100 for 10, we are channelling that same spirit beyond emergencies, for the long journey of community-led development,” Mrs Masiyiwa said.

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RemitHope seeks to unlock the transformative potential of diaspora remittances – redirecting a portion of the more than US$90 billion sent to Africa annually, into structured, high-impact community giving.

By blending trust, technology and targeted generosity, RemitHope aims to mobilise US$50 million for grassroots organisations over the next five years.

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New 600 schools vs. reality: Mat North rural students trek over 10 kilometers for class

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BY WANDILE TSHUMA

In a recent parliamentary session, the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Torerayi Moyo, proudly announced that the government has constructed over 600 schools across Zimbabwe between 2022 and 2025. “I can happily inform this House that we have constructed more than 600 schools,” he stated, adding that “this year, we are targeting to build not less than 200 schools in 2025.”

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Despite this achievement, reports from Matabeleland North province reveal a stark contrast, where students in rural areas often walk over ten kilometers to reach their nearest secondary schools. For example, in Nkayi, learners from areas such as Menda and Mantshololozane must travel long distances to access secondary education at Tohwe and Nkayi High Secondary Schools, which are situated more than ten kilometers apart. This trend has persisted, making it difficult for many students to pursue beyond primary education.

While the Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to educational development, the experiences of many rural students paint a different picture. One legislator noted, “We were informed in this House that we have a deficit of 3 000 schools in Zimbabwe… what could have probably caused the mushrooming of these schools is the fact that there is a gap, and children do not have to walk long distances.”

In response to the issue of unregistered schools, Moyo addressed concerns, stating, “It is mandatory for any school to be registered before they can operate.” He explained that there is a dedicated department responsible for school registration and encouraged those operating illegally to regularize their status.

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Four men on the run after allegedly killing man over relative’s death

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BY STAFF REPORTER 

Four people from Silobela are being sought by the Zimbabwe Republic Police for their alleged involvement in a gruesome murder that took place on Sunday.

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The police are investigating the murder of 21-year-old Thandelwenkosi Moyo, who was allegedly killed by the four suspects after being accused of killing their relative.

According to the police report, the incident occurred at Munklenuck Village, Inyathi.

The accused have been identified as Nyoka, Zizimuzi, Mboya, and Aweli.

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The police report states that the four suspects took turns to attack the victim with booted feet and a sharp object, resulting in his death at the scene.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police is appealing to anyone with information about the whereabouts of the suspects to come forward and report to the nearest police station.

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