Zimbabwe faces declining male teacher enrolment

Published: 30 mins ago

A troubling trend is emerging across Zimbabwe's teacher training institutions, with the number of male students enrolling continuing to decline. Education stakeholders warn that the imbalance could affect the future availability of male teachers and the overall gender diversity within the sector.

Recent graduation ceremonies across the country illustrate the disparity. At the United College of Education (UCE), 505 students graduated during its 57th ceremony, including 464 females and only 41 males. Hillside Teachers' College in August saw 325 graduates, comprising 227 females and 98 males. In Matabeleland South Province, Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic College reported 132 female graduates at primary level, compared to just eight males, while secondary teaching graduates numbered 80 females and 30 males.

In Harare, Belvedere Teachers' College graduated 672 students - 514 females against 158 males - while Seke Teachers' College in Chitungwiza recorded 621 female graduates compared to 41 males.

Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Simelisizwe Sibanda, highlighted the growing imbalance during the UCE graduation. "This demographic shift underscores the growing influence of women in shaping Zimbabwe's educational and industrial future. However, the low male representation signals a concerning decline in male enrolment at teachers' colleges, which requires strategic intervention," he said.

According to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education's 2024 Annual Statistical Report, Zimbabwe employs a total of 153,453 teachers: 88,413 at primary level, 48,298 at secondary, and 16,742 in early childhood development (ECD). Male representation remains disproportionately low: only 3,219 male ECD teachers compared to 13,523 females, and 33,581 trained male teachers at primary level versus 54,832 females. Secondary level employment shows a smaller gap, with 22,874 males and 25,424 females.

Zimbabwe Teachers' Association (Zimta) CEO Dr Sifiso Ndlovu attributes the decline to the emigration of young men seeking better opportunities abroad, resulting in a brain drain within the teaching profession. Harare-based education expert Dr Peter Kwaira suggests that girls' historical outperformance in public examinations may contribute to fewer males qualifying for teaching courses and calls for further research into systemic factors influencing enrolment trends.

Education stakeholders warn that the declining number of male teachers could undermine efforts to achieve gender balance and diversity within Zimbabwe's education system. Addressing the underlying causes of this trend will be crucial for ensuring a balanced and inclusive future for the country's education sector.
- Sunday News

Tags: Teacher,