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Professional Development of Vocational Teachers in Zimbabwe: The Past, Present, and Future

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Handbook of Vocational Education and Training

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Abstract

The chapter traces the historical evolution of professional development of vocational teachers from colonial to postindependence Zimbabwe. Professional development of VET teachers has a long history in Zimbabwe and is officially recognized as an important component for improving the quality of teaching and learning. While there was a strong indigenous form of vocational education, since the colonial period, vocational education has been viewed as of lesser status. During the period of settler-colonial rule, vocational education was racially stratified and viewed as inferior, and this has continued into the postindependence years. While the periods of expansion, adjustment, and crisis all had a different impact on the way professional development was viewed, it continued to be a lesser priority when compared to general education. Currently professional development of VET teachers remains fragmented and in a state of neglect. It is argued that until VET generally is valued, that professional development of VET teachers will continue on the same historical trajectory.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Adult and Continuing Education, Great Zimbabwe University, Masvingo, Zimbabwe

    Chenjerai Muwaniki

  2. School of Education, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK

    Volker Wedekind

Authors
  1. Chenjerai Muwaniki
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  2. Volker Wedekind
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Correspondence to Chenjerai Muwaniki .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Education, University of Nottingham School of Education, Nottingham, UK

    Simon McGrath

  2. Education and Competence Studies Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Gelderland, The Netherlands

    Martin Mulder

  3. Faculty of Education, University of the Western Cape Faculty of Education, Bellville, South Africa

    Joy Papier

  4. School of Education, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK

    Rebecca Suart

Section Editor information

  1. No affiliation provided

    Volker Wedekind

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Muwaniki, C., Wedekind, V. (2019). Professional Development of Vocational Teachers in Zimbabwe: The Past, Present, and Future. In: McGrath, S., Mulder, M., Papier, J., Suart, R. (eds) Handbook of Vocational Education and Training. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49789-1_26-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49789-1_26-1

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-49789-1

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