‘Education is a key investment’

ZTN Prime Correspondent

EDUCATION is a key investment that can unlock potential, promote peace and development, a government official has said.

Speaking at the commemoration of the International Day of Education at Amandas Primary School in Concession last Friday, Mashonaland Central Acting Provincial Education Director, Mr Alexander Mutenha, also believes education could be a key tool in curbing social vices.

The International Day of Education is commemorated on January 24 and this year’s theme was “To invest in people, prioritise Education.”

“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MoPSE) strives to raise awareness for access to inclusive and equitable education as a basic human right,” said Mr Mutenha.

“MoPSE strives to promote gender equality in education.

“Use education as a tool in the fight against drug, alcohol and substance abuse.

“To use education to fight the scourge of child sexual abuse and marriages,” said the Acting Provincial Education Director.

Heads of schools, teachers and pupils from different schools in Mashonaland Central attended the celebrations which were hosted by the Farming Communities Education Trust (FACET).

FACET Information and Advocacy Officer, Ms Shamiso Mutape, spoke about the need for the girl child in the farming communities to have equal education opportunities.

“As FACET we have a project called Girls Education Advocacy in the Region (GEAR).

“We are advocating for inclusive and equitable education to every child in the farming communities,” said Ms Mutape.

“Our hope as FACET is not to have a situation where the child from the farms is disadvantaged.

“We are working in farming communities doing capacity building training to help young adults and adolescent girls to access education.

“We teach them about the dangers of child marriages,” she said.