Online Reporter
Maria Chiguvari
It was all smiles as most headmasters shined at the Conferment of the Bishop’s Merit Awards held recently at St Mary’s High School, Chitungwiza.
Some of the schools that were awarded are St Johns High School, St Michael’s Primary School, St Phillip’s High School and St James Muzambi School.
The Bishop’s Merit Awards was this year awarded to two schools that came first, which are St Mark’s High School and Langham High School.
The conferment of the Bishop’s Merit Award is a testament of the tireless efforts and selfless devotion to the esteemed recipients. The honour is a unique development that the Anglican Diocese of Harare has introduced as a way of motivating schools so to promote quality education, which there believe is an indelible contribution of the Anglican Church towards the education system.
The Anglican Diocese of Harare has a total of eighteen (18) schools; 9 high Schools and 9 primary Schools.
They are in the process of setting up an Anglican University, which is at its infancy. Of the 9 high schools, five are boarding chools while the other four are day schools.
Speaking at the ceremony the Rt Rev Dr Farai Mutamiri said they intend to convert some of the day schools into boarding schools.
“We also have plans to build more schools within the boundaries of our Diocese. The Diocese is embarking on a re-engineering phase of reebranding its Schools so that they match the standards of 21st century institutions of learning.
“To that end, we have introduced the Infrastructure Development Fund (IDFF), which is for the construction of projects in schools under our Diocese.
“Our Diocese covers Mashonaland East, West, Central, and Harare Metropolitan Provinces.
He also commissioned four buses for four Anglican schools.
“Heads of sister schools are encouraged to emulate the standards at St Mark’s High and Langham Girls High schools.
“We implore you to visit each of the schools in the Diocese so that you may share ideas on how best to improve. It’s no longer business as usual when we talk about education in the Diocese of Harare.
“To schools that have performed exceptionally in 2024 Grade 7, Form 2, Ordinary and Advanced level, and those that did exceptionally well in the NASA athletics, ball games, and music competitions, congratulations.
“You have placed the Diocese on the map.
“Notably we have St Mary’s Primary and St James Muzambi who did very well at Grade 7 level.
“St Mark’s High did exceptionally well at Form 2, whilst Langham as well as St Mary’s High, did well at Ordinary level.
“St John’s High did exceptionally well together with St Francis and St Mary’s High Schools.
“St John’s High scored the highest in Advanced level examinations,” he said.
SMB chairperson Mrs Ndanga said schools the competition this year was stiffer than last year as most schools were trying their best to come out on top.
“Let me hasten to say that the competition this year was even stiffer than last year as most of the schools were trying their very best under challenging conditions. However, the winning schools undoubtedly achieved the highest score, hence deserving the Merit Award for 2025.
“To all the schools, the SMB message to you is we acknowledge the hard work you are putting in and we will continue to give you whatever support we are able to give so that you continue to fly higher,” she said.
Diocesan Education Secretary Lazarus Nyatsanza commended all the schools that received awards for carrying the Anglican Diocesan’s flag high.
“I would like to express my gratitude to all the heads of the schools for his dedication, commitment, and initiatives towards there are today. The results of their effort is what we cherish today.
“The teachers have to be emulated for their commitment to work. Some of them are taking early morning lessons.
“The high pass rate in exams is testimony to the efforts directed by teachers towards teaching and learning,” he said.
Mathew Masinge