The Sunday Mail
Sharon Munjenjema
Government is reconfiguring the National Youth Service into the Build Zimbabwe Project by synchronising its curriculum with that of vocational training centres (VTCs) within the context of the National Qualifications Framework.
Discussions are underway between the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation and that of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development to make VTC qualifications acceptable at higher and tertiary institutions.
Youth Deputy Minister Yeukai Simbanegavi recently told The Sunday Mail that the Build Zimbabwe Project will equip graduates with practical skills. She said a framework to synchronise VTC curricula with tertiary institutions would be finalised within Cabinet’s first 100-day work cycle.
“If they enrol for one year, they qualify for a national certificate. And then they go for the second year and the third, which places them in level 2. This qualifies them to enrol at polytechnic colleges, even without 5 ‘O’ levels. It must happen within the first 100 days,” said the deputy minister.
Over 4 500 people are enrolled in VTCs.
In August, Government gazetted the National Qualifications Framework to standardise the education system and facilitate a smooth transition from technical to academic institutions.
Deputy Minister Simbanegavi said those who have already graduated from the National Youth Service could enrol for the new programmes.
Meanwhile, Empower Bank’s agents are on a countrywide tour to familiarise targeted beneficiaries with the youth-centric financial institution’s operations.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa launched Empower Bank, which is capitalised to the tune of $12 million, on July 5.
The bank will not replace the Kurera/Ukondhla Youth Revolving Fund, which is currently on suspension.
“We still have the revolving youth fund under Kurera/Ukondhla, but it has been stopped because we want to re-establish the selection criteria of beneficiaries as there had been very low repayment rates,” the deputy minister said.
