adminFreedom Mutanda
CHIBUWE High School and the community are still on cloud nine following the spectacular results the school posted in the recent 2015 ‘O’ Level examinations where 12 students garnered 5As and above, an unprecedented feat that the school authorities hope to better in subsequent years.
In Chipinge District, the school bettered Mount Selinda High School in terms of the number of higher achievers and the percentage pass rate surged by 10 percent compared to the 2014 one.
Built in 1979, Chibuwe High School is a community school. It was built at a time when there were only three secondary schools, minus the two earn and learn schools in the form of Ratelshoek and Jersey secondary schools.
Away from the main road to Chiredzi, branching off from Kondo, the school offers a perfect picture of serenity far from the madding crowd and close to the mighty Save River.
A 42 percent pass rate from 32 percent in 2014 might appear minute or insignificant, but given the fact that Chibuwe High School is for the community, it does not discriminate against students who come from the local primary schools. In that respect, every student regardless of poor passes that s/he has obtained is enrolled.
What made the school score such exquisite results and join other giants in the province who have made it?
Chibuwe High School head, Mr Needmore Maposa, said the teachers, administration, students and the parents were pulling in the same direction.
‘‘Students, the administration and the parents were in tandem in their execution of duties, be it studying, teaching, paying fees and ensuring that there was a conducive atmosphere to the teaching/learning environment. Teamwork always bring forth positive results. We are of the view that no one must be left behind in our march towards quality education. Discipline within the student body and teachers made us realise our goals,’’ said Mr Maposa.
Mr Thomas Hanyanisi, a prominent member of the community, was thrilled by the passes. He said the whole community was extremely happy at the turn of events.
‘‘The passes have made us proud. We are thankful to the head, teachers and the School Development Community,’’ he said.
Not to be outdone, a local businessman, Mr David Zikuzo, whose children have all learned at the school was full of praises of the qualities of the teachers and the head in putting the name of the school on the map in as far as academic achievements are concerned.
‘‘The head, Mr Maposa and his great team have made this possible. It is through Mr Maposa’s inspirational and informed leadership as he steered the school in the right direction that we find ourselves in this exalted position,’’ he said.
Alvord Maguta had 9A’s and a B in English. He was easily the toast of the day when the results came last week as his brother who was in Form Six last year at the same school, was a 15 pointer.
‘‘Alvord is a natural hardworker, self-starter, motivated, disciplined and committed and for that he did exceptionally well. It –intelligence-seems to run in the family as his brother, Richman, scooped As in Commercials in the A- Level results,’’ said Mr Siyapeya, the deputy head.
As the head of the academic board, Mr Siyapeya, is naturally elated. He believes that judging by the trend of passes in the past three years, Chibuwe High School will be an academic giant in the province. However, he feels there is room for improvement.
‘‘We are obviously delighted but we will continue working hard until we attain the 100% mark,’’ Siyapeya said.
Chibuwe High School is swimming in the tide of Zim-Asset and STEM (Science, Technology, Engeering and Mathematics) in its coverage of the curriculum. Building Studies and Computer Studies posted very good results.
Building Studies had a 100 percent recording as the students got 7As and 10Bs which made the teacher, Mr David Sithole, to exclaim he was ‘‘over the moon’’ in excitement.
In Computer Studies, there was a 91.3 percent pass rate and Mr Lebson Mufunda, the teacher, is inching towards the 100 percent mark. He attributed the success in most subjects to a robust e-learning programme.
‘‘An elaborate and comprehensive e-learning programme at Chibuwe High School is the genesis of the success that we see here. We have two computer labs at this school. Many children burn the midnight candle as they use the e-learning facilities. With the support of the two senior masters, Mr Dakarai Dhliwayo and Mr Sifelani Tonje, we have never seen the administration wanting in as far as paying the bills are concerned,’’ he said.
At O- Level, the Geography teacher, Mr Tuteni Mkwambo, smiled all the way to the hall of fame at the school as his students had 31 As. He said his students were hardworking from Form Three and they never looked back.
Chibuwe High School will be remembered as a school that transformed a community whose leader Mutape Mutorwa has a passion for education and was prepared to donate a piece of land for the construction of a school that would transform the lives of the people in that community.
Ironically, the current head, Mr Maposa, is a pioneer student of Chibuwe High School and during his time there, he was a captain.
Meanwhile, Meadowlands (formerly Mafumhe) Secondary School, which used to vacillate between 0 and 10 percent made an impressive showing in the 2015 O- Level examinations by having an overall pass rate of 44 percent.
Significantly, Geography, Building Studies, Agriculture and Fashion Fabrics had 100 percent.
‘‘As a school, we are extremely glad that our pupils responded well to our teaching. Geography had 42As and the school hopes to continue with scoring good passes,’’ the head, Mr Sibiya, said.
Victor Munyuki had 7As, 1B and 1C followed by Brenda Marian with 4As and a B.
Online Reporter