Re-visioning Zimbabwe’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics for Secondary Schools through the Science Teacher Education Programme

Abstract

The study highlights the necessity of developing innovation, creativity, and scientific competencies among Zimbabwean secondary school learners for their future social and economic engagement and participation. It explored the government’s efforts to enhance access to STEM education through the Science Teaching Education Programme (STEP) for secondary schools. Five STEM lecturers and ten STEM student teachers were purposefully selected to participate in the study. Focus group discussions with respect to student teachers, in-depth interviews with lecturers and on-site observation of the infrastructure were the data collection instruments. The research, employing a phenomenological framework, identified challenges such as resource constraints, inadequate infrastructure, and lecturer turnover as factors threatening the successful implementation of the programme. The study recommended that the government and other educational stakeholders provide additional support and resources for STEM lecturers, such as professional development opportunities, mentorship programmes, and access to cutting-edge technology and tools to produce teachers who can make a difference through the STEP programme. Thus, the study expands knowledge on discourses regarding growing challenges related to the effective institutional provision of STEM education in Zimbabwe. Keywords: College of Education, Science Teaching Education Programme (STEP), Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Secondary Schools, Student Teachers, Technology