In today’s fast-changing world, education isn’t just about textbooks or exams—it’s about having the skills to navigate everyday life. This is especially true in the African context, where many young people and adults need education that’s practical and useful. That’s where Functional Skills come in.

Whether you’re a school leaver, a market trader, a job seeker, or a parent helping your child through school, these skills can open real doors in Zimbabwe and across Africa.

What Are Functional Skills?

Functional Skills are the core practical skills people use every day at home, work, or in education. They cover three key areas:

• English: Reading, writing, speaking, and listening

• Mathematics: Numbers, problem-solving, money management, basic budgeting

• ICT (Information and Communication Technology): Using phones, computers, and the internet confidently

These are not about memorising facts for an exam—they’re about applying knowledge in real-world situations. For example:

✅ Writing a professional CV to apply for a job
✅ Calculating change in a grocery shop
✅ Creating a WhatsApp broadcast to promote a small business
✅ Understanding instructions on medicine labels
✅ Using EcoCash or Mukuru without confusion

Why Do Functional Skills Matter in Africa, and Zimbabwe in Particular?

1. Boosting Employability

In Zimbabwe’s competitive job market, employers often say that school leavers can’t communicate well, solve problems, or use basic tech. Functional Skills directly address these gaps.

📌 Example: Tendai finishes Form 4 but struggles with job applications. Through a Functional English course, he learns how to write a covering letter and confidently present himself in an interview. He lands a job in retail.

📌 Example: Rutendo, a college student, takes Functional ICT lessons and learns how to use Microsoft Excel to track expenses. She then gets a part-time admin job where she uses the same skills daily.

2. Empowering Entrepreneurs

Many Zimbabweans are small business owners—whether it’s a tuck shop, hair salon, poultry project, or online clothing store. Functional Skills give them a major advantage.

📌 Example: Brian runs a mobile phone accessories stall. After taking a Functional Maths course, he learns how to calculate profit margins and track income. His business grows because he now knows which items sell the most.

📌 Example: Chipo sells handmade bags on Facebook. After Functional ICT training, she starts using Canva to design better adverts and Google Sheets to keep stock. Her orders increase, and she gains loyal customers.

3. Supporting Adult Learners

Many adults across Zimbabwe didn’t finish school due to economic hardships, early marriage, or other life events. Functional Skills offer a second chance—a pathway to dignity, confidence, and better income.

📌 Example: Amai Shumba, aged 45, joins a community Functional English class. She learns to write simple texts and read documents. She can now fill in forms at the clinic and help her grandchildren with homework.

📌 Example: Brighton, a builder, takes Functional Maths to improve his costing skills. He starts quoting better prices for clients and now manages his budget more professionally.

4. Driving Digital Transformation

As Zimbabwe becomes more digital—from e-learning to online job applications and mobile money—it’s vital that everyone can use basic technology.

📌 Example: Memory wants to become a nurse. She applies to nursing school online after learning how to use email and browse the web in her Functional ICT course.

📌 Example: A rural youth centre runs an ICT class where students learn to type, search for information, and apply for NSSA or university online. Suddenly, opportunities become accessible.

5. Making Education Relevant Again

Functional Skills don’t just “teach”—they connect learning to life. This makes education more motivating, especially for students who struggle with traditional academic paths.

📌 Example: A school in Gweru introduces Functional Maths. Instead of only learning algebra, students learn how to read ZUPCO bus fare charts and calculate airtime bundles—skills they actually use every day.

📌 Example: An NGO in rural Matabeleland uses Functional English to teach young women how to write letters, open bank accounts, and speak confidently at job interviews.

How We Deliver Functional Skills Online

On our platform, we offer accessible Functional Skills courses designed for Zimbabwean learners:

• Mobile-friendly: Study on your phone, tablet, or laptop

• Flexible: Learn at your own pace, in your own time

• Contextual: Real-life African examples and local relevance

• Supportive: With local tutors and peer support groups

We support:

• School leavers who need practical skills

• Working adults looking to upskill

• Youths in informal jobs or training

• Teachers and facilitators in community centres

Our Vision: Practical, Life-Changing Learning

We believe in education that works—not just in the classroom but in real life. Functional Skills make that possible for learners in Zimbabwe and beyond. They build confidence, employability, and independence—whether you're 16 or 60.

Ready to Learn?

Join thousands of learners across Africa who are building brighter futures with Functional Skills.

🟢 Sign up now and start learning skills that matter—for life, for work, for YOU.