About Us
The Government Primary Correspondence School was founded in 1930. The school was originally designed to cater for white farmers’ children living in outlying areas such as farms, construction sites, national parks, army posts, mines and wherever it was not possible to establish a formal school for one reason or another.
Our Mission Statement
To provide equitable, quality, inclusive, relevant and competence driven primary non-formal education.
Departmental Mission Statement
To strengthen all sub-systems for the provision of high quality tuition to all learners.
Goal
To increase access to quality education and training through OPEN and DISTANCE LEARNING (ODL) facilities in Zimbabwe.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Since the attainment of the country’s independence in 1980, the Correspondence School is now catering for the educational needs of children of all races to reflect the new political order and national policy on educational provision.
The main objective of the institution is to provide satisfactory education to children located in areas too far away from any government school’s catchment area. As it is the only Government Primary Correspondence School in Southern and Central Africa, it also provides its services to children living outside Zimbabwe.
Ministry Mission Statement
To provide high quality and relevant primary and secondary education to all children and individuals requiring non-formal education, to formulate, review policies and coordinate programmes, to preserve national identity and cultural heritage, to facilitate access to and participation in sport, recreation and culture in
Objectives
The objectives of the Government Correspondence School are to:
Promote sustainable Non- Formal education for all citizens and non-citizens of Zimbabwe
Increase access to education and training through quality, gender-sensitive and inclusive programmes and services offered through Non- Formal delivery mode in Zimbabwe.
Advise parents and guardians on relevant infrastructure when conducting home schooling to their children
To provide learning materials to vulnerable children and adults affected by natural disasters.
OUR VALUES
In our quest to provide efficiency and effectiveness in our services to our clients and all stakeholders we cherish our values of:
a) Ubuntu / Unhu / Vumunhu
b) Self—reliance and equity.
c) The dignity of work, team spirit, networking and sharpened communication skills.
d) Self-discipline, self –actualization, critical thinking and problem solving, consultation, service and involvement of all stake holders.
e) Transparency and professionalism in all our operations
f) Culture of work and entrepreneurship.
g) Creating critical and independent thinkers and learners
h) Citizenship – to give learners early exposure to global issues and cultural sensitivity that would enable them to become productive global citizens in adulthood.
Quick Facts
Children who enrolled since the school started
Current enrolment
Teachers & Staff
Years since school started
Desired Outcomes
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An all-round development of an individual
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Development of latent potential.
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Equality of educational opportunities for all.
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Sense of social responsibility, self-reliance, self-respect and respect for others.
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A principled individual who is self-reliant.
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Self-motivated
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Self-disciplined
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Self-starter
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Skilled
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Competent user of ICT / digital literate graduates
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Has relevant life skills
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Learner exit profile included
Guiding Principles
Offering primary education to marginalized learners from remote and disadvantaged areas including those affected by natural disasters through facilitators trained to use distance education materials and multimedia approaches in Zimbabwe and Extra-Territorial.
Who Can Enroll?
Learners of (Primary level) living at least 5 km from the nearest registered primary school.
Learners who fail to transit or cannot be enrolled at formal schools.
Learners with itinerant parents (e.g. priests, uniformed forces and diplomats).
Learners with health problems e.g. requiring long periods of hospitalization, suffering from chronic illnesses
Learners with profound, severe and multiple disabilities
Learners who cannot attend formal school for one reason or another for example due to natural disasters or early marriages.
Out of school learners especially orphans and vulnerable children (OVC).
Parental choice for home schooling.
MEASUREMENT AND EVALUATION
The Correspondence School, provides:
- Grade Level Diagnostic Tests
- Facilitate Placement Tests for children with learning difficulties
- Reading Level Tests
- Formative Evaluation :Term 1 , Term 2 and Term 3 Exams
- Summative Evaluation: ZIMSEC Exams. Home schooled Grade 7 learners, register and write examinations at their nearest primary school in each of the ten provinces of Zimbabwe and those in Harare, the National Centre conduct the examinations at Mt Pleasant High School.
- Continuous Evaluation (Learner Profile)
- Supervised homework to consolidate revision on sets 6, 12 and 18. A learner has 6 sets per learning area per term translating to 12 working weeks per term (Term 1 Set 1- 6, Term 2 Set 7 -12 and Term 3 Set 13-18). This means that a learner has to complete a set in each learning area in ten working days before it is sent to Harare for our Teachers-Cum-Writers to supervise and monitor on home supervisors / parents thoroughness in their marking.
- Pilot tests, feedback and assessment as an ongoing activity
- Evaluation of programmes.
The following activities are administered by individual supervisors or groups at a Study Centers:
- Provides learner details for Head office examination database
- Time tables
- Mobilise the resources (Human, Material, Physical, Financial, Time, Information)
- Organise the exam administration
- Submit exams to the National School for marking
- Write assessment reports
- Distribute Reports generated from the national School.
- Guides and counsels learners
Extra-Curricular Activities
For extra curricula activities the supervisor approaches nearby schools, clubs or any competent person to train the learners in various sporting activities.
Contact Programmes
- Training of Supervisors
- Art competitions
- Sports
- Learner visits
- Speech and Prize giving Day
Our Past Students Speak…
I attend the Zimbabwe Government Correspondence School in 2008, It made me what I am today. I enjoyed every moment I was there.
I met my best friend at the school. We start our business together and our friendship has blossomed throughout the years.
I went to Zimbabwe Government Correspondence School way back and now both of my kids are now attending the school. Lovng it!
Learning Areas Offered Through Correspondence Mode.
- English
- Mathematics
- Indigenous Languages
- Family Religious and Moral Education (FAREME)
- Heritage and Social Studies
- Science and Technology
- Agriculture
- Physical Education and Mass Displays
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Guidance and Counseling and Life Skills Education
- ICT
Advantages
- Provides self-instructional material which is user friendly
- Caters for learners with different learning abilities
- Allows for acceleration especially for gifted, talented and creative learners.
- Non Formal Education is simple and flexible-a learner can progress at own pace
- One on one with learner hence the learner gets more attention and instant feedback from the supervisor
- Learning materials issued as hard copies to accommodate every learner especially those in remote areas.
- Learning can take place anywhere and at any time especially for learners with highly mobile parents and guardians
- Developing skills for each individual boost self esteem