by Kenneth Moyo |
A growing number of Schools Arts, Sports and science festivals (SASSAF) are now taking place across schools in Zimbabwe. The SASAF are intended to be a platform for pupils to show their talents in sports, arts and in academic. Mabhukudwana primary school held their five-day SASSF program which ended on the 31 of March
Schools Arts, Sports and science festivals are intended to be a platform for pupils to show their talents in sports, arts and in academic
Mabhukudwana primary Grade 2 students
During the festival, pupils from grade 0-7 participated in science displays. The main purpose of science displays is to empower participants with practical and theoretical knowledge, as well as experience to become (better) science show creators and/or performers. Participants worked in groups to carry out experiments and they presented their experiments in front of parents, teachers and other fellow students.
SASSF is in the framework of the new curriculum. According to Primary and Secondary Education minister Lazarus Dokora the new curriculum, saying it is going to open up opportunities for Zimbabweans to be skilful and not just be mere academics. He also said it was good for people to be academic, skills and other dimensions fulfilled in the updated curriculum would also make learning easy for pupils.
“SASSAF displays are not competitive programs,” said Mr Bango, Mabhukudwana headmaster. “They are activities carried out by students to show parents, teachers and other fellow students what they have been learning or just to show their talents.”
Zimbabwe has been using one curriculum since 1980. The feeling is that the curriculum lacks practical skills training, known as psycho-motor. The Nziramasanga Report carried out in 1999 recommended a review of the education curriculum to incorporate psycho-motor skills.