School Psychology in Zimbabwe

Educational psychologists’ support roles regarding the implementation of inclusive education in Zimbabwe

“…The Zimbabwe School Psychological Services and Special Needs Education (SPS and SNE) department falls under the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and has the primary responsibility for supporting schools in their inclusive education practices (Mpofu, Mutepfa, Chireshe, & Kasayira, ). The department is found at each of the ten provincial education offices in the country and provides free school psychological services to all learners in the country (Mpofu et al., ).…”

“…The chief psychologist is the director of the SPS and SNE and is assisted by two deputy directors (one from School Psychological Services and the other from Special Needs Education) in his/her functions, and they are located in Harare, head office, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Mpofu et al., ). At the head office, there are four education officers responsible for school programs in hearing impairment, mental retardation, visual impairment, and guidance and counseling.…”

“…The department consists of trainee/educational psychologists, remedial tutors, speech correctionists, and guidance and counseling education officers who provide school psychology‐related services (Oakland, Mpofu, Glasgow, & Jumel, ). The School Psychological Services department provides services on a peripatetic basis by visiting schools for purposes of consultation and providing services (Mpofu et al., ). The department of SPS and SNE has the following core responsibilities: (1) supporting schools in their inclusive education practices and expanding the educational provision for learners with special educational needs, (2) in‐service training of school psychological services personnel, teachers, head teachers, and education officers on issues and practices in special needs education, (3) raising awareness of learners with special educational needs and inclusive schooling among teachers, head teachers, parents, and communities country‐wide, and (4) promoting early identification and inclusive interaction programs for learners with special educational needs (Zimbabwe Action Plan, , p. 30).…”

“…The department faces many of challenges with respect of the development and provision of services (Mpofu et al., ; Zimbabwe Action Plan, ). The ratio of educational psychologist to learners was one to 145,955 in 2004 (Mpofu et al., ).…”

“…The department faces many of challenges with respect of the development and provision of services (Mpofu et al., ; Zimbabwe Action Plan, ). The ratio of educational psychologist to learners was one to 145,955 in 2004 (Mpofu et al., ). A ratio of one to 700 is recommended by the United Nations Economic, Social and Cultural Organization (as cited in Mpofu et al., , p. 440).…”