Mugabe’s State of the Nation Address in full

Madame President, Mr Speaker Sir,

Government is concerned about the high levels of Gender Based Violence (GBV), particularly against women and girls.  In response, Zimbabwe Republic Police and Courts have collaborated in establishing an elaborate multi-sectoral gender based violence mechanism.   Victim Friendly systems are determined to fight gender based violence in all its forms.  Government appeals to churches and community leaders to take a leading role in shaping an appropriate social fabric and moral behaviour in our society.

Madame President, Mr Speaker Sir,

The 2015 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey results have shown an improved child mortality for the under 5’s,  and also an improved child nutrition status, with child stunting going down from 35 per cent  to 27 per cent; and an increased ante-natal care for pregnant women.  It is pleasing to note that such good results have been achieved at a low cost.

Madame President, Mr Speaker Sir,

This year the power supply in the country improved significantly, with minimal load shedding since the beginning of 2016.  This is largely due to measures which were instituted at the end of 2015, such as enhancing generation from Hwange Power Station and increasing imports from the region.  Government is also working on increasing local power generation to close the local power production deficit.

Madame President, Mr Speaker Sir,

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has designed a comprehensive Curriculum Framework for Primary and Secondary Education.  The Curriculum Framework aims at equipping learners with capacities for creativity, problem-solving, decision-making, entrepreneurial and collaborative skills and team building.  This prepares learners to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Arts, Visual and Performing Arts, Humanities and Languages, Design and Technology, and Commercials.

In order to promote human capital development, Government has begun implementing the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) policy strategy.  The STEM initiative has seen the enrolment of over 5 000 students to study ‘A’ level Mathematics and any two science subjects.  This is aimed at the development of STEM skills to support Zimbabwe’s quest for industrialisation and modernisation.

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