The challenges of Integrating Indigenous Knowledge in the teaching of weather and climate in Geography in Manicaland province of Zimbabwe

Abstract

Scholars have acknowledged that the current education system in Zimbabwe has done very little to incorporate learners’ socio-cultural experiences. The purpose of the qualitative case study, from which this research draws its data, was to examine the views of the teachers and education officers on the challenges of integrating Indigenous Knowledge (IK) into the teaching of weather and climate. The study was conducted in secondary schools of Manicaland in Zimbabwe. It is hoped that these views from the various stakeholders can contribute to the ongoing discussions on updating the Geography curriculum (2015 – 2022) in Zimbabwe. Data was generated using interviews and focus group discussions. The study revealed numerous challenges in integrating IK into Geography in secondary schools which include the lack of written texts given the oral tradition, the training of teachers, insufficient IK experts for guidance, teachers own attitudes and beliefs, assessment challenges and urbanisation. However, I argue that these challenges should not detract from the decolonizing project of integrating IK into the Zimbabwean Geography curriculum, rather the challenges should open up avenues for further discussion on including IK in the curriculum. It is recommended that the Ministry of Education seek to address the challenges, reported on the integration of IK into the Geography curriculum, that lie within the ambit of teaching, learning and assessment.