In a country where the Constitution is often discussed in political and legal circles but less understood by ordinary citizens, Believe Guta’s Constitutional Studies for Schools in Zimbabwe: A Guide to the Constitution for Zimbabwean Secondary School Students represents a significant intervention in civic education.
The book translates the Constitution of Zimbabwe (2013) into an accessible and practical learning tool for secondary school students.
The document directly addresses the constitutional requirement under section 7(b) for the State to foster public understanding of the Constitution via educational means.
“More than a decade after the adoption of the 2013 Constitution, the absence of dedicated, age-appropriate teaching materials for secondary school learners has been a notable gap,” Guta notes.
The book responds to that challenge by offering a comprehensive and learner-centered constitutional text.
Across ten chapters, the author breaks down several topics such as constitutional supremacy, governance structures, the Bill of Rights, citizens’ duties, judicial independence, constitutional amendments, and public participation.
He makes use of everyday examples including a narration of the Constitutional law-making process that culminated into the 2013 constitution.
Amongst other local case studies, the book touches on the last amendment of the constitution which was gazetted in May 2021.
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The amendment modified presidential qualifications, the appointment of Vice-Presidents, and provisions for provincial/metropolitan councils.
“I read a section in the constitution which obliges the State to promote public awareness of the Constitution,” says Guta.
“I asked myself why it (section 7b) had not been put into effect a decade after the constitution came into full effect. I was then motivated to contribute literature which can promote public awareness of the constitution in schools.”
Within the 100 pages of the book are illustrations and practical classroom activities that Guta hopes will help learners easily connect constitutional principles to their lived realities.
A notable strength of the book is its balanced treatment of rights and responsibilities.
While fundamental rights are explained in detail, equal attention is given to civic duties, tolerance, environmental protection, and participation in governance.
This approach encourages learners to view democracy as a shared responsibility rather than a purely theoretical concept.
The book adopts a deliberately non-partisan tone, presenting the Constitution as a national social contract rather than a political instrument.
This makes it suitable for wide adoption across schools with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Its design supports both learners and teachers, making it a practical classroom resource rather than merely a reference text.
By bringing constitutional knowledge into the classroom, Believe Guta empowers young Zimbabweans to engage more meaningfully with the country’s supreme law. Constitutional Studies for Schools in Zimbabwe stands as an important contribution to constitutional literacy and informed citizenship.
*About the author
Believe Guta is an entrepreneur, author of the best-selling book Legal Battles of an Entrepreneur, a law reform and civic education advocate with a strong commitment to constitutionalism, legal literacy, and economic empowerment. He has authored several practical legal guides aimed at empowering citizens through accessible and contextually relevant legal and business knowledge.
*About the reviewer
Khumbulani Muleya is an award-winning journalist and cultural practitioner.
