In an interview with The Sunday News, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Dr Sylvia Utete-Masango clarified that Mathematics and Science in local languages will only be confined to infant classes, while junior grades going up will be taught the subjects in English language. Infant level starts from ECD (A) up to Grade Two while junior level starts from Grade Three up to Grade Seven.
Said Utete-Masango:
It is empirically proven that for one to learn other languages you must have good grounding of your own “mother tongue.”Remember Infant is ECD to Grade 2 and concepts are better learnt when taught in the language that the learner is familiar with. Thus, at this formative age emphasis should be on inculcating the basic concepts through play in line with the learning areas. Notwithstanding this, the new curriculum, among others, aims at motivating learners to cherish their Zimbabwean identity and value their heritage, history and cultural traditions and preparing them for participatory citizenship.
More: Sunday News