Ministry of Education Approval: SKOOL21 STEM Innovator Handbook Series in Zimbabwe
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MoPSE) in Zimbabwe has formally endorsed the STEM Innovator’s Handbook Series for use in primary and secondary schools nationwide. This approval marks a meaningful step forward in the drive to modernize education through integrated STEM/STEAM learning aligned with the national Competence-Based Curriculum.
What Is SKOOL21’s STEM Innovator Handbook Series?
Developed collaboratively with global STEM experts and tailored to fit Zimbabwe’s Heritage-Based Curriculum framework, SKOOL21 delivers structured, hands-on learning through:
- Age-appropriate, sequential STEM projects, designed to build complexity gradually and effectively engage Grades 1–6 students
- An emphasis on inquiry, problem-solving, communication, and creativity, nurturing competencies central to Zimbabwe’s curriculum reforms
- Interdisciplinary integration, blending STEM learning with arts, mathematics, science, and heritage studies to support the STEAM approach espoused by MoPSE
Educational Alignment & National Reform
In 2024, Zimbabwe’s government completed the phased rollout of its Heritage-Based Curriculum Framework (2015–2022). The new curriculum emphasizes competency-based outcomes over rote learning, with STEM/STEAM competencies incorporated from early grades through to advanced learning stages.
Education reforms specifically mandate that STEM teaching:
- Promote continuous, project-based assessment
- Prioritize learner-centered, practical instruction
- Integrate multiple disciplines under cohesive themes such as natural sciences, technology, heritage, and arts
The MoPSE approval reflects that the SKOOL21 handbook series meets these rigorous standards and pedagogical objectives.
Educational Alignment & National Reform
- National Endorsement: Recognizes SKOOL21 as fully compatible with Zimbabwe’s reformed curriculum and national goals for STEM/STEAM education.
- Practical Utility: Provides a turnkey solution for teachers, especially in resource-constrained and rural settings that face infrastructure and material shortages.
- Skills Empowerment: Supports development of essential 21st‑century skills—such as creativity, tech awareness, and collaborative problem-solving—which are central to national commitments to youth development and employability.
Building on Broader STEM Priorities
- MoPSE has launched teacher capacity-building programmes, training thousands of educators in STEM pedagogy, with substantial in-service and pre-service investments to address the shortage of qualified specialists.
- Government-led initiatives — including the Science Teaching Education Programme (STEP) and school-based STEAM festivals (SASSAF, CASSAF, PASSAF, NASSAF) — underscore the national push toward practical, inclusive learning through hands-on STEM engagement.
In Summary
Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education approval of SKOOL21’s STEM Innovator’s Handbook Series represents a landmark alignment with the country’s curriculum transformation agenda. The series:
- Aligns with the national curriculum framework and STEAM philosophy
- Delivers project-based, skills-driven learning that fits national competency goals
- Supports teacher capacity-building and consolidates Zambia’s broader STEM education reforms