Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent
OVER 3,000 pupils have registered under the government’s Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (Stem) programme with 1,425 drawn from the southern provinces. Statistics released by the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development this week indicate that Harare tops the list with 580 pupils followed by the Midlands at 458.
Manicaland, which has 456 is third with Bulawayo in fourth position with 400 pupils. Masvingo has 295 pupils while Matabeleland South has 158, Matabeleland North trailing at 114.
Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo announced this through his micro blogging account on Twitter on Thursday.
The minister said over $700,000 has so far been spent in paying fees for pupils who registered for the Stem initiative. “As of today, 10 March, the Ministry has registered 3,046 students for 2016 A-Level Stem Initiative and paid $702,759.50,” he twitted.
Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund (Zimdef) is paying school fees and levies for Stem takers in government and mission schools across the country.
Zimdef has reserved $4 million for the Stem scheme. Schools from southern parts of the country have so far received $312,732 from the total amount disbursed.
Harare’s portion of the school fees paid so far under the programme is $108,000.
Mashonaland East has 284 centres and has spent $107,000 in fees and levies.
The initiative is the brainchild of President Robert Mugabe aimed at transforming the country through developing a technology-oriented economy.
He has stressed the need for Zimbabwe to move with the rest of the world in industrialising its economy through the promotion of science and technology innovation at schools and universities.
The Ministry of Higher Education took the decision to promote science learning at A-Level so as to increase the number of science students enrolled in the field at university.
A week ago Prof Moyo said: “There is solid evidence that the fastest growing and highest earning careers in future will be in Stem fields.
Available evidence supports the view that currently sustainable socio-economic transformation is driven by investing in Stem disciplines.
“Employees and employers will need to utilise Stem skills in industrialising the economy, addressing issues of unemployment and in empowering the young through promotion of science and innovation.”