By Shadreck Gurenje
President Mnangagwa has said Education and Knowledge have always been the cornerstone of progress as the nation gears towards the realisation of Vision 2030.
President Mnangagwa said this during the launch of the book, Redefining Zimbabwe’s education system: ED Mnangagwa’s vision and Transformational leadership.
President Mnangagwa said heritage based education under the Second Republic has brought important threads which weave together the fabric of the nation’s identity, industrialisation and modernisation.
“Education and Knowledge have always been the cornerstone of progress, beacon of hope and a sustainable pathway to a brighter-prosperous future including in our beloved motherland Zimbabwe. Since the immemorial, culture, heritage and education have been important threads which weave together the fabric of our identity, industrialisation and modernisation.
“Equally our heritage has never been a mere relic of the past. It is a living testament to our resilience, wisdom and shared ideas .Guided by the philosophy Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatirwa nevene vayo/ilizwe lakiwa,libuse likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo,we have intricately interwoven our education and heritage to redefine and re-shape the future of our country.
“This philosophy will guarantee that our young generation and communities have a strong and solid foundation upon which to build. We have an onerous duty to ensure that our young people are equipped to face the future with confidence, creativity, resilience and adaption capacities, “said President Mnangagwa.
President Mnangagwa also said the current education system locally must embrace, safeguard and promote heritage while integrating heritage with science, innovation and technology.
“Our education systems must embrace, safeguard and promote our heritage while integrating our heritage with science, innovation and technology. Through the heritage-Based Education 5.0 model we have ushered in a new era of learning, innovation and creativity .This is further exhibited by the integration of our abundant natural resources and rich heritage ,with the innovative tools and technologies to produce goods and services.
“The publication also serves to educate and bring to the fore the confidence we must have in ourselves as Zimbabweans and as an African people. By reflecting on the Zimbabwe and Mutapa civilisations, we are reminded that innovation and ingenuity have always been a part of who we are , as a people and the descendants of the great Munhumutapa,”said President Mnangagwa.
President Mnangagwa also reiterated that under his administration heritage-Based Education 5.0 model is not just an educational philosophy, it is a transformational and mind-shifting approach that empowers the people to appreciate their foundational roots, understand their place in the world ,and envision a modern future.
“The approach recognises that education is not just about acquiring knowledge, but about nurturing a deep sense of self belief, innovativeness and pride in one’s country. The philosophy is therefore a critical foundation upon which to build cutting edge solutions to address the pressing development challenges as well as harness the immense opportunities of our time, “said President Mnangagwa.