The ManicaPost
Morris Mtisi
Dear Mr English Syllabus
Did you see Part 1 of my letter to you last week? I am still celebrating Registers out of Paper 2, in comes common errors and other language items. Thanks to your babamukuru Cde Curriculum.
I will also salute your ‘comrade-in-arms’, Cde ZIMSEC. He is your sibling I know but I tell you, evidence of your relationship has been questionable for a long time.
Your Babamukuru, Cde Curriculum of the Dokora totem, has made it abundantly clear now that our schools and examinations must prepare exit profiles that are fit for purpose.
Even in English language, your Babamukuru has emphasised that NEW CURRICULUM, recently christened UPDATED CURRICULUM, came to interrogate the remote, dead, abstract and bookish nature typical of the old colonially inherited curriculum.
And now Education must convert intelligence, natural gifts and talents and knowledge into useful ends.
Mr Syllabus, never ever forget that Babamukuru Updated Curriculum now calls for whatever accumulated knowledge exists to be put into practice; to be transmuted into character-to be forced to exist within national, social, economic and cultural interests. School, Mr Syllabus English, is the chief agency for the accomplishment of this end.
Registers are out! In comes Common Errors! Let’s all celebrate in our different ways. The noisy frivolous ones can shout Yaaooooo!
The more spiritually inspired can calmly say, “Amen-Haleluja!” So long as we are all celebrating the fall of one enemy (Registers) and celebrating the advent of a genuine friend (Common errors and other language items like structures and language use) – it’s fine.
Mr Syllabus English, it’s only a battle that has been won. The war continues. Aluta Continua! Next battle is to remove the compulsory nature of the Guided Composition section.
It is real nonsense you know! Yes, nonsense! to force this one compulsory question on the students.
They must choose a letter if they want; a report, a speech, an article . . . whatever. Why not?
It won’t contaminate the skills being tested here, will it? I’m seriously looking forward to another coincidence of thought on this one. And a few more coming of course! Rome was not built in a day.
But that day finally came. And I know when it came, many Romans must have exclaimed, “If only the day had come earlier!”
I strongly believe now that we are friends, and know each other very well, that we will respect each other’s views and suggestions without fighting quietly: now I know that you don’t want to be pushed but advised or begged; and I . . . you also know will speak my mind straight and of course promising you that I will mind my size. You know what?
Even when we fight in these intellectual or academic wars, oftentimes it is friendly fire. These wars are fought in our minds and brains to give our students the best education.
Even the wars fought over the new curriculum were, and still are, very healthy.
It cannot be a national curriculum that brings no fear, anxiety and war.
But now that your Babamukuru has spoken, let us distil knowledge, share wisdom, to give students an education that easily and joyfully converts intelligence, natural gifts and talents into useful ends.
We all belong to the Dokora totem in education, don’t we? And Nziramasanga chibaba-baba chacho of course; the Abraham of the Zim-education fraternity!
Next week I will freely, joyfully and proudly zero in on Common Errors so that this column meaningfully continues to empower students (even teachers) to face their English Examinations with appropriate language skills and competences, but above all to do so in tandem with the new syllabus English Course.
Zero tolerance to Common Errors now! We are not stupid African learners. We can learn this language and master it like its first users, if not better. Why not?
Thank you Mr Syllabus English. It was a pleasure being in touch with you. I know you will not reply but the silence, I promise, will not be mistaken to mean you did not receive my letter.
Lots of love Morris Mtisi.
(TOGETHER WE MUST WIN THE BATTLE AGAINST POOR ENGLISH EXAMINATION RESULTS)
