The key increasing economic efficiency and social consistency

A PRESENTATION FOR THE NATIONAL DEFENCE COURSE 09/2020

15 OCTOBER, 2020

INTRODUCTION

Education is in every sense one of the fundamental factors of development. No country in the world can achieve sustainable economic development without substantial investment in human capital. Education enriches peoples’ understanding of themselves and the world. It improves the quality of their lives and leads to broad social benefits to individuals and society. It raises people’s productivity and creativity and promotes entrepreneurship and technological advances. I addition, it plays a very crucial role in securing economic and social progress and improving income distribution. Not only is education a key factor in economic development, but it is also a key ingredient in nation building. In nation building, education is a cornerstone in creating a sense of shared wakefulness or common understanding among citizens such that the cohesion and unity of common experiences creates a sense of organic solidarity and a unity of purpose. This presentation, ladies and gentlemen, is going to interrogate the role of education in nation building and economic development and its contribution to the country’s attainment of Vision 2030.

To build a nation, therefore one must consider the past to build a common purpose for the future based on today’s capabilities. Education impacts all three elements of what defines the notion of nation building. Education of Zimbabwe’s children in its shared history and cultures is significant in developing the tolerance required for the country to prosper. A shared understanding of the contributions of all ethnic backgrounds in the development of Zimbabwe aids in the understanding of the benefits to be gained by future co-operation and the reinforcement of the elements of identity which are common.

EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

THE ROLE OF EDUCATION TOWARDS ACHIEVEMENT OF VISION 2030

The Education system of the country should be embraced as a vehicle for the attainment of Vision 2030. President Mnangagwa outlined, on behalf of all Zimbabweans, a vision of an upper middle-income economy for Zimbabwe by 2030. The education sector is one of the key drivers of economic growth, meaning all the conditions that lead to industrialisation and modernisation have to be fulfilled and education holds the keys to that. It should not be over-emphasised that the answer to the vision lies in our education system and how its designed.

The quality of education matters in producing competitive and innovative individuals who are capable of transforming the economic fortunes of the country. The colonial education system whose aim was to produce literate workers to service the colonial administrative and economic structures has no place in today’s education system.
All who went to school expected to look for jobs. The current education system provides for students to think originally and innovate (come up with new ideas).
It creates room for students to create new products; instead of occupying their time with endless hours of memorising textbook theory to regurgitate in examinations. Education helps to turn the knowledge into tangible goods and services. The more of these that we are able to produce as a nation, the better we are positioned to attain Vision 2030.

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education system needs to be complemented with its Higher and Tertiary Education counterpart. An education system should not be content with award certification, a diploma or a degree purely on the written thesis with little or no practical outputs. Education should produce graduates who are capable of creating goods and services which count in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Gross National Income (GNI) of the country and by so doing, the country will move towards achievement of Vision 2030.