By Virginia Njovo
Minister of Primary and Secondary Education (MoPSE), Torerai Moyo, has urged schools to teach using indigenous languages from Early Childhood Development (ECD) as a way of safeguarding African cultural heritage, which he said is under threat from Western ideologies.
Moyo was speaking at Sikato Primary School in Masvingo, where schools from three provinces—Masvingo, Manicaland, and Matabeleland South—are part of a pilot project themed ‘Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Basic Education in Zimbabwe’.
The project, which is also being implemented in Namibia, is supported by the Belgian government in collaboration with UNESCO.
Moyo emphasized that using indigenous languages in schools is crucial for protecting African pride and complements MoPSE’s Heritage-Based Curriculum, which aims to produce primary and secondary school graduates who are fit for purpose.
“Schools should teach learners using local languages in every subject so that we uphold and uplift our heritage, which is our pride. In China, all classes are taught using their language; we can also do the same from ECD,” said Moyo.
He added that teachers need in-service training on heritage to ensure they are equipped to provide informed and effective heritage teachings.
“Our teachers need to be equipped well so they will be able to teach learners in areas they have knowledge of, so they should get in-service training,” said Moyo.
The minister also said that teaching heritage would equip learners with skills and values to sustain themselves after school, emphasizing the need for a collaborative approach between learners and teachers to achieve the intended goals.
“As we saw during the exhibition, learners are engaging in fish farming, poultry, piggery, and the harvesting of indigenous herbs. This shows that these children are being capacitated, and even after school, they can make a living,” said Moyo.
His deputy, Angeline Gata, who was also present, underscored the role of the community in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, which she said is even greater than that of teachers.
“I encourage elders in the communities to include children when engaging in sacred practices rather than sending them away. They need to see how things are done in our culture because no one can beat you for being yourself. It is up to you to be who you are.
“We have different cultures that need to be preserved. Teaching children how to cook our indigenous food properly and informing them about the nutritional benefits of local foods are important aspects of preserving our heritage,” said Gata.
Sustainable Development Goal 4, target 4.7, emphasizes improving the relevance and quality of education by supporting the transmission of living heritage to younger generations. Incorporating living heritage into the Heritage-Based Curriculum helps contextualize learning and ensures cultural continuity.
