Gladys Sunzuma – författare

Historical and current educational perspectives are epistemologically challenging to weave together. The contributors brought together in this book have risen to that challenge and, in the process, have produced a detailed and thorough account of the issues and processes at play.Science, Mathematics, and Technology (SMT) education is recognised globally as a means of developing critically needed human capital. In Zimbabwe, SMT subjects constitute a significant component of the curriculum which, since political independence in 1980, has emphasised application-oriented, experientially-based teaching and learning. Efforts to mainstream this approach have resulted in several significant reforms to the country’s education system. Relatedly, there are ongoing attempts to boost uptake in SMT subjects and, through them, to develop such professional skills as problem-solving, lifelong learning, teamwork, critical thinking, and the capacity to contribute and adapt to our rapidly changing world.There is a self-evident need to document progress made in these efforts and, in the process, to carefully examine issues at play, challenges met, and solutions developed. This book, developed through a partnership involving Zimbabwean editors and authors, was developed to fulfil this need. It is long overdue.

This book is about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in poverty and the lessons we learn from Zimbabwe. The world is driving towards the fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), where economic growth has been attributed to STEM education. STEM education is vital in this era, where both developed and developing countries are undergo rapid changes. Globally, STEM education has been practised differently in schools and universities. University programs, new school curricula, instructional methods, extracurricular programs, and professional development programs for in-service teachers have been created to cater to STEM subjects. STEM education is envisioned to produce critical thinkers, inventors, creators, problem solvers, innovators, and professionals who will solve the world’s ever-changing challenges, including inequity, food insecurity, climate change, inequality, and poverty. STEM is essential to modern education. Zimbabwe has faced significant economic challenges but has made remarkable strides in STEM education. By examining the successes and challenges of STEM education in Zimbabwe, we can learn valuable lessons about improving STEM education in underserved communities.This book contributes to the international debate surrounding the optimal STEM education for students in underserved schools. It incorporates detailed accounts of STEM education in Zimbabwe schools, shedding light on the challenges students and educators face in impoverished areas. In Zimbabwe, STEM education faces significant challenges such as materials and facilities, pedagogy, policy reform, access, and relevance. Some of the main issues highlighted in this book are the need for more resources, including funding, teaching materials, and adequate laboratories. Effective STEM pedagogy is hampered by an education system that emphasises the curriculum and teacher-centred focus instead of focusing on how students can be taught or learn. Research has shown that in Zimbabwe, STEM teachers must apply inventive pedagogies and suitable learner-centred STEM teaching approaches. As a result, there is a need for more STEM-related programs and courses in schools and universities to improve the opportunities for students to pursue careers in these fields. Another challenge is the need for more awareness about the opportunities and importance of STEM education and interest in STEM subjects among students, which can be attributed to a lack of exposure and understanding of the relevance and importance of these fields in today's world.While lack of resources and other challenges hinder effectiveness, opportunity lies in promising pathways of policy and practice. In Zimbabwe, there is a varying degree of success in the implemented competence-based curriculum, which emphasises inquiry-based learning and STEM education. Finally, there is a need for early exposure to STEM-based career opportunities and for more collaboration between the government, private sector, and educational institutions to address these challenges and promote STEM education in Zimbabwe.This book uses Zimbabwe as an example to explore STEM education in poverty. By examining the successes and challenges of STEM education in Zimbabwe, this book offers valuable insights into how STEM education can be integrated into the curriculum in countries with developing and emerging economies. This book is an essential resource for anyone interested in improving STEM education in underserved communities.

This book is about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in poverty and the lessons we learn from Zimbabwe. The world is driving towards the fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), where economic growth has been attributed to STEM education. STEM education is vital in this era, where both developed and developing countries are undergo rapid changes. Globally, STEM education has been practised differently in schools and universities. University programs, new school curricula, instructional methods, extracurricular programs, and professional development programs for in-service teachers have been created to cater to STEM subjects. STEM education is envisioned to produce critical thinkers, inventors, creators, problem solvers, innovators, and professionals who will solve the world's ever-changing challenges, including inequity, food insecurity, climate change, inequality, and poverty. STEM is essential to modern education. Zimbabwe has faced significant economic challenges but has made remarkable strides in STEM education. By examining the successes and challenges of STEM education in Zimbabwe, we can learn valuable lessons about improving STEM education in underserved communities.This book contributes to the international debate surrounding the optimal STEM education for students in underserved schools. It incorporates detailed accounts of STEM education in Zimbabwe schools, shedding light on the challenges students and educators face in impoverished areas. In Zimbabwe, STEM education faces significant challenges such as materials and facilities, pedagogy, policy reform, access, and relevance. Some of the main issues highlighted in this book are the need for more resources, including funding, teaching materials, and adequate laboratories. Effective STEM pedagogy is hampered by an education system that emphasises the curriculum and teacher-centred focus instead of focusing on how students can be taught or learn. Research has shown that in Zimbabwe, STEM teachers must apply inventive pedagogies and suitable learner-centred STEM teaching approaches. As a result, there is a need for more STEM-related programs and courses in schools and universities to improve the opportunities for students to pursue careers in these fields. Another challenge is the need for more awareness about the opportunities and importance of STEM education and interest in STEM subjects among students, which can be attributed to a lack of exposure and understanding of the relevance and importance of these fields in today's world.While lack of resources and other challenges hinder effectiveness, opportunity lies in promising pathways of policy and practice. In Zimbabwe, there is a varying degree of success in the implemented competence-based curriculum, which emphasises inquiry-based learning and STEM education. Finally, there is a need for early exposure to STEM-based career opportunities and for more collaboration between the government, private sector, and educational institutions to address these challenges and promote STEM education in Zimbabwe.This book uses Zimbabwe as an example to explore STEM education in poverty. By examining the successes and challenges of STEM education in Zimbabwe, this book offers valuable insights into how STEM education can be integrated into the curriculum in countries with developing and emerging economies. This book is an essential resource for anyone interested in improving STEM education in underserved communities.

This book explores technological integration in mathematics classrooms of varied and diverse socioeconomic contexts. The evolving needs of society, the critical role of mathematics in everyday life, and changes in school curricula have driven curriculum reforms, innovative teaching methods, and technology integration in mathematics education. This book provides comprehensive studies focusing on bridging learning gaps between underprivileged and gifted learners, as well as practical insights for educators and researchers. These studies also explore the possibilities of technology-driven innovations in improving marginalized students’ access, engagement, and learning outcomes in mathematics, all while continuing to incorporate approaches that maintain cultural sensitivity to suit the diverse backgrounds of both learners and teachers. This book is particularly suited for mathematics educators, as well as researchers interested in the development of strategies for serving underprivileged and gifted learners.