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Tina Musonza
Herald Correspondent
When Covid-19 struck and disrupted traditional forms of schooling, authorities at Highfield High 1 in Harare responded by hitting the right chords in the teaching and learning process, which have landed the school the Secretary’s Merit Award.
The award is a quality control and supervisory tool that recognises schools of excellence as models that the rest should follow.
Highfield High 1 School was established in 1961 as a Group B secondary school at the time, a status that changed 18 years later. Because of its sterling performance, the school was accorded Advanced Level status in 1979.
Primary and Secondary Education Permanent Secretary Mrs Tumisang Thabela presented the award and unveiled a plaque at the school on Monday to congratulate it on its effective response to the Government’s call to the creation of accessible learning and teaching facilities after Covid-19 hit.
The school responded and sustained learning through online platforms and adopted the use of radio lessons.
Online lessons, mobile phone messages, and virtual learning were also some of the strategies put in place to meet expectations by the ministry, despite the myriad challenges that came with the pandemic.
Speaking at the occasion, Mrs Thabela said the school was subscribing to the competence-based curriculum, and was good at implementing it.
“The 2020 Secretary’s Merit Award, therefore, is taking cognisance of those schools that responded to the Government of Zimbabwe’s call, and that of the Ministry to adopt resilience modalities that would allow returning to the classrooms better,” she said.
“It is through such receptiveness that we accord pupils, teachers, parents and school administration this prestigious coveted accolade.
“The school is commended for not losing focus in fulfilling the ministry’s vision in the delivery of education from 2020 to date. Highfield High 1 has effectively embraced the competence-based curriculum by equipping pupils with 21st century competencies and exit profiles underpinned by the principle of Ubuntu.”
The award consisted of 40 tablets for learners and other incentives to boost learning.
Highfield High 1 School head Mr Rewu Imbayarwo said the school would continue with projects that were impactful in shaping the future of learners.
“All the learners and staff at the time survived the Covid-19 pandemic. The collective efforts of both learners and staff made it possible to maintain the good pass rates of Highfield High 1 School that we are proud of, and have strived to maintain over the years.
“Despite many challenges that any school would naturally face, at this school, we have striven “to be a school of excellence”, said Mr Imbayarwo.
He said the school was vibrant in different activities, including sport, poultry, making of sanitisers, and face masks. It is also ready to advance in some other areas.
The chairman of the School Development Committee, Mr Enock Mandimutsira highlighted that the success of the school was backed by the Government’s support.
“What really drives us as SDC is the mandate given to us by the Government. The role of the SDC is outlined in the Education Act with its supporting statutory instruments, which is to provide and assist in the operation and development of the school,” said Mr Mandimutsira.
“Also, the SDC should advance the moral, cultural, physical and intellectual welfare of pupils at the school to promote the welfare of the school for the benefit of its present and future pupils, their parents and teachers.”
Online Reporter