The partnership between the Zimbabwe Chess Federation and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education continues to gather significant momentum as Zimbabwe moves closer to achieving the vision of making chess accessible to every learner within the country’s education system.
In a landmark development for both education and sport, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education initiated a curriculum framework in 2024 that incorporates a variety of educational games and intellectual activities, with chess occupying a central role. The initiative seeks to harness the educational benefits of chess by integrating the game into the learning environment and ensuring that pupils across Zimbabwe have the opportunity to learn and play chess as part of their holistic development.
The programme is founded on the recognition that chess is much more than a competitive sport. It is a powerful educational tool that develops critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, concentration, creativity, decision-making skills, patience, discipline, and strategic planning. These competencies are essential for academic success and lifelong learning, making chess an ideal complement to the national education agenda.
The initiative aligns perfectly with the global vision championed by the International Chess Federation through its Year of Chess in Education 2026>, which seeks to promote the integration of chess into education systems around the world. Zimbabwe’s proactive approach places the country among a growing number of nations recognising the transformative impact that chess can have in classrooms and communities.
To ensure the successful implementation of the programme, the Zimbabwe Chess Federation has embarked on an ambitious national capacity-building exercise involving the training of educators drawn from both primary and secondary schools across Zimbabwe’s ten provinces. These educators are being equipped with the knowledge, teaching methodologies, and practical skills required to introduce and sustain chess programmes within their respective schools and districts.
The trained educators will serve as Provincial Master Trainers and pioneers of the Chess in Education programme. Upon completion of their training, they will return to their provinces and districts where they will cascade the knowledge and skills acquired to other teachers, thereby creating a sustainable national network of chess educators. This multiplier effect is expected to accelerate the rollout of chess to thousands of schools and hundreds of thousands of learners throughout Zimbabwe.
The current training programme represents a significant milestone in the implementation of the national Chess in Education strategy. Participants have demonstrated enthusiasm and commitment as they prepare to become ambassadors of chess-based learning in their respective communities.
Leading the first phase of the training programme is H. Makoni, a distinguished Schools Inspector for Seke District who also holds the internationally recognised chess titles of Senior Instructor (SI) and National Arbiter (NA). His extensive experience in both education and chess administration makes him ideally positioned to guide participants through the foundational aspects of the programme.
Under his leadership, trainees are receiving comprehensive instruction covering chess fundamentals, instructional techniques, classroom integration strategies, competition organisation, and the broader educational benefits of chess. The training is designed not only to produce competent chess trainers but also to empower educators to use chess as a practical teaching and learning resource within the classroom environment.
As Zimbabwe continues to strengthen the partnership between education and chess, the programme is expected to contribute significantly to learner development, talent identification, academic performance, and the growth of scholastic chess nationwide. The initiative also reinforces the Zimbabwe Chess Federation’s commitment to making chess accessible to all children regardless of geographical location, background, or socioeconomic status.
With the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and the Zimbabwe Chess Federation working hand in hand, the future of Chess in Education in Zimbabwe has never looked brighter. The training of national trainers marks the beginning of a transformative journey that will see chess reach every corner of the country, empowering a new generation of learners with the skills, confidence, and intellectual tools needed to thrive in the 21st century.
As the momentum continues to build, Zimbabwe is positioning itself as a continental leader in Chess in Education, demonstrating how strategic partnerships can create lasting impact for both education and youth development.