THE Smart Tablet Early Learning Assessment (STELA) strengthens the educational foundation of children at Early Childhood Development level, a senior government official has said.
Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development permanent secretary Fanuel Tagwira said the STELA tool was a response to National Development Strategy 1 2021-25.
He said the strategy focused on promoting innovation, entrepreneurship and the use of technology from home-grown solutions for the country.
“In its design and focus on school readiness and technology-based format, the tool is consistent with the aspirations of the government of Zimbabwe to improve the quality of formal learning experiences and modernisation in primary schools and the innovation thrust in Heritage-Based Education 5.0,” Tagwira said in a speech during the launch in Gweru yesterday.
He said the aim of the pre-service teacher education programme was not only to upgrade the student teachers with current trends, upscale the implementation of STELA, but also to support departments that train students.
“In-built and recognisable in this pre-service programme is funding for the development of heritage-based children’s play materials so that the country does not rely on imports that may be irrelevant to the Zimbabwean context,” he said.
“The early years of a child are the most formative and it is during this period that the foundation of life is laid.
“By focusing on the preparation of pre-service teachers we are investing in the development of a skilled and dedicated workforce that will nurture, educate and inspire our young children.”
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Tagwira said preparing ECD teachers for modern educational demands helped to fight redundant teaching methods and practices.
The STELA tool was designed to help teachers to track and monitor children’s readiness in ECD-B for first grade class and was developed by ECD experts from the University of Zimbabwe.
