The ManicaPost
Freedom Mutanda Post Correspondent
150 History teachers met at Mutare Boys High School recently to map the way forward as the subject suffered a huge dent in candidature this year owing to Heritage Studies being made a compulsory subject in the wake of the implementation of the updated curriculum in Zimbabwe which has resulted in History classified as an elective subject. The History teachers unanimously agreed that their subject of specialisation was under siege and they had to work to make the subject retain its ‘‘pole’’ position as a subject of choice.
Mr Nyikadzino Makichi, the National Association of Secondary Heads (NASH) said the updated curriculum did not change the facts about history and teachers ought to know it is them who make the subject tick.
His words were concurred by the Vice President of the History Teachers Association of Zimbabwe, Mr Anyway Sadziwa who felt that it is the teachers who must be the foot runners of History.
‘‘Mussolini’s antics in his foreign or domestic policies remain the same whether there is an updated curriculum or not.
“Accordingly, teachers must implement the new curriculum and teach from the syllabus notwithstanding the fact that there could be few resources,’’ Mr Makichi started the ball rolling in his opening remarks.
It was categorically mentioned that Heritage Studies is not a substitute of History but there were some elements of history in the new subject. Because of that, the History teachers urged the powers that be to revisit the shunning of History in preference of Heritage Studies under the pretext that it is policy that has shunted History aside.
‘‘History is a stand-alone subject and any attempt to submerge it will not succeed. I have already written some textbooks which are aligned to the updated curriculum. We can’t allow the subject to die a silent death,’’ prominent History writer, Mr Anyway Sadziwa said.
The plenary session with the subject manager, Mr Dziva, focused on the new topics and the advent of Economic History as an examinable subject at ‘‘O’’ and ‘‘A’’ level.
The history teachers were assured that those two subjects are stand-alone subjects although they are interconnected.
‘‘Economic History and History can be done separately at the two levels. Come on, read the syllabus and you would notice that there are some overlapping themes and topics,’’ Mr Dziva said.
History teachers were reminded that a skills based approach to the teaching of History would result in students being analytic and that prepares them for the other pressures of life.
Mr Shingai Mtisi from Chibuwe High School noted that such interactions among colleagues always bring the best from individuals.
‘‘Interfacing with other professionals of a similar ilk is productive. I hope that we will continue to interact in the districts where we came from,’’ he said.
It remains to be seen whether History will retain its compulsory subject tag.
