By Sindiso Zhou
BINDURA University of Science Education last week held the first ever International Science and Mathematics Education Conference.
The conference, held at the university’s main campus in Bindura, Mashonaland Central and aiming to improve the teaching of science and mathematics in schools to increase the uptake of science disciplines at tertiary education, has been described as a resounding success by both presenters and delegates.
Running under the theme ‘Revitalising Science and Mathematics Instruction for the 21st Century’, the conference attracted several international speakers from three different continents; Africa, Europe and America.
Officially opening the three-day conference on Wednesday last week, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education in Zimbabwe, Dr Washington Mbizvo, said the hosting of the international conference was evidence that Bindura University was fulfilling its mandate of promoting science education.
He said Science and Mathematics continued to be the key ingredients for all learners and learning in Zimbabwe and elsewhere.
Said the Permanent Secretary: “Bindura University is living up to its mission through advancement of knowledge and skills to Zimbabwe and the world in general.
This university has the leading responsibility of building a powerhouse of science education for Zimbabwe, the region and even beyond”.
“Revitalising teaching strategies means accepting other emerging teaching methods and we should be asking ourselves how best we should communicate Mathematics and Science in the classroom and how do we make these disciplines interesting and enjoyable to learners,” he added.
He also said neighbouring countries have started appreciating the position of Bindura University as the hub of science education in the region and were in talks with the university to have some of its mathematics and science teachers trained by Bindura University.
The Permanent Secretary said the development of African countries was grounded on reshaping curriculum priorities in the entire education systems.
Also addressing presenters and delegates to the conference, Bindura University Vice-Chancellor Professor Eddie Mwenje said it was increasingly becoming clear that nations cannot meet the challenges of the future without adequately addressing the issue of science education.
He said Mathematics and Science educators were faced with the challenge of inspiring young people’s attitudes towards sciences as there was a growing challenge of students not taking up sciences at advanced level.
“Teachers need assistance to effectively deliver knowledge and Bindura University is doing this by arranging knowledge sharing platforms with other nations through transnational collaborations like conferences on science education.
“Bindura University is also addressing the challenge of science teacher shortage in Zimbabwe through several programmes throughout the country,” he said.
Conference chairperson Dr Cuthbert Katsvanga, who is also the Pro-Vice Chancellor for Bindura University, said the conference will be held once every two years.
He said the international conference follows a National Science and Mathematics Teachers’ Conference hosted by the university in September 2012.
An ensemble of scientists and mathematicians including the first female professor in Mathematics in Zimbabwe Prof Senelani Hove-Musekwa from NUST, Research and Evaluation Specialist from the California Department of Education in America Dr Blessing Mupanduki, Educational Scientist Dr Ginestie Jacques from France, Prof Charles Opolot-Okurut from Makerere University in Uganda, Prof Alois Chiromo from the Midlands State University, Dr Deonarian Brijlall from Durban University of Technology in South Africa and Prof David Mtetwa from the University of Zimbabwe presented papers.
Newspaper Editor and Communications Specialist Prof Charles Pfukwa, Communications Specialist and former newspaper editor Nhlanhla Landa and Communications Specialists and lecturers at Bindura University Sindiso Zhou and Dorcas Zuvalinyenga also presented papers.
Several local presenters including Dr Maroni Nyikahadzoyi, Dr Partson Moyo, Lovemore Kusure, Nyarai Tunjera, Professors Isel Ramirez, Edistol Martinez and Arcelioaramis Fereira also presented papers.
Non-presenting delegates included more than 150 mathematics and science teachers drawn from all the ten provinces of Zimbabwe.