A Philosophy For Music Education In Zimbabwe

Abstract

This article is an articulation of the rationale employed in designing the regulations for the Bachelor of Education in Teacher Education, Practical Subjects: Music Option. The degree is on offer for the first time at the University of Zimbabwe during 1994 and 1995. This is a two year programme with the stated aim of preparing lecturers to "become effective and efficient in their area of professional specialisation." The programme is comprised of 10 courses, three of which are in general education. Excluding the individual research project, six courses remain in which to cover music content, music education methods and music performance. With such limitations of structure and time, difficult choices had to be made on what could and could not be included. The programme had to strike a balance between two aims: to offer students the opportunity to expand their individual musicality and, at the same time, to enable them to develop skills applicable to Zimbabwe’s unique needs in music education.