Government Revives Development Grant Programme to Boost Innovation in Tertiary Education

The Government has announced plans to reintroduce the Development Grant Programme for tertiary institutions, as part of efforts to strengthen institutional capacity, drive innovation, and expand community impact in line with the Education 5.0 model.

The programme, which was suspended in 2016, will now return to support tertiary institutions in enhancing research, innovation, and community development projects across the country.

Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Hon. Simelisizwe Sibanda, confirmed the development during the Mogenster Teachers College graduation ceremony in Masvingo on Wednesday.

“As government, we are actively working to resuscitate the Development Grant Programme, which ceased in 2016. The initiative will strengthen institutional capacity and expand community impact,” he said.

“Tertiary institutions will also offer short community courses in areas such as agriculture, home management and career guidance, while the work-for-study programme will be intensified next year,” he added.

The Deputy Minister also commended Mogenster Teachers College for promoting inclusivity through supporting 33 differently abled students, saying the move was in line with government’s goal of ensuring no one and no place is left behind.

Over 200 primary school teachers graduated from the institution, specialising in general and early childhood education. The college has been recognised for advancing inclusive education by integrating disability studies and practical innovation into its training programmes.

Speaking at the same event, college principal Dr Davis Mazire said the institution was committed to infusing innovation, sustainability, and entrepreneurship into teacher education.

“Under the Education 5.0 model, our mandate goes beyond teaching and learning to include research, innovation, community service, and industrialisation,” Dr Mazire said.

“When our teachers adopt innovative pedagogies and local curriculum adaptations, we move towards sustainable commercialisation that benefits both institutions and communities.”

Graduands expressed gratitude to the government for introducing innovation driven learning, saying it has inspired them to use education to address community needs.

The ceremony ran under the theme “Leveraging Innovative Practices in Teacher Education for Sustainable Commercialisation.”