The Sunday Mail
Bulawayo Bureau
The GOVERNMENT will recruit 2 988 headmasters and deputies for substantive posts to fill vacancies in primary and secondary schools in a massive recruitment drive to improve pass rates and maintenance of infrastructure at educational institutions countrywide.
Most of the posts to be filled are being run by acting heads.
The recruitment of heads and deputies began on August 30, with prospective candidates set to have handed in their applications by September 21.
According to a memorandum from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, the Government is seeking to employ 1 318 primary school heads, with Bulawayo (8), Harare (5), Manicaland (247), Mashonaland Central (154), Mashonaland East (171), Mashonaland West (125), Masvingo (109), Matabeleland North (210), Matabeleland South (160) and Midlands (129) all set to get appointees for the vacant posts.
For secondary schools, a total of 532 school heads are set to be appointed, with Bulawayo (7), Harare (17), Manicaland (27), Mashonaland Central (5), Mashonaland East (16), Mashonaland West (23), Masvingo (10), Matabeleland North (33), Matabeleland South (12) and Midlands (23) getting new staffers.
Across the country, 965 deputy primary school heads are set to fill vacant positions, while 173 secondary deputy school heads will also get appointed.
Primary and Secondary Education communications and advocacy director Mr Taungana Ndoro said the Government is embarking on the recruitment drive after realising that there were many vacancies in those positions across the country.
He said appointment of new school custodians would improve standards of learning and consequently pass rates as pupils gear up for examinations.
“The significance of these appointments is that there are a lot of headmasters or deputies who are currently in their roles in an acting capacity because in most cases, the incumbents would have moved elsewhere, retired or promoted.
“So, by appointing substantive heads, we are making sure that there is binding response that comes with the role because once appointed, a head becomes the custodian of whatever institution that they lead. As we approach a crucial part of the education calendar, we intend to make sure that pass rates go up as well as make sure that school infrastructure is well-maintained, which is the responsibility of those in positions of leadership,” he said.
Mr Ndoro said as the third term starts, the Government is assessing teaching vacancies that need to be filled.
“We are yet to see where we are in terms of vacancies for teachers. A lot of the headmasters and deputies are also teaching heads, so they will also assume duties in the classroom while running the school. Afterwards we will then assess to see where we stand in terms of vacancies and then we shall see what the Public Service Commission allows to do to remedy those vacancies should there be any,” he said.
