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Limpret Moyo, Sunday News Reporter
FOR the first time, Herentals Group of Colleges held its combined speech and prize-giving day to celebrate the achievements of students who excelled in academic and extra-curriculum activities in Bulawayo on Friday.
The guests of honour at the event were the Education Inspector Mr Vincent Arthur Nobanda and Dr Elleck Mashingaidze, a historian and diplomat.
Dr Mashingaidze encouraged students to remain focused in their school work.
Speaking at the celebrations, Herentals George Silundika principal Mr Dictator Nceku Maphosa said the awards encouraged competition among pupils to do well in their studies.
“We are gathered here to reward and award those among our diligent and enterprising learners who have done exceedingly well in the academic, sporting and social areas. For the first time here in Bulawayo after about nine years since the first branch opened, we are having a combined speech and price giving day. Earlier, we used to have our annual prize giving day separately.
“We did this because we wanted to encourage competition among our centres and students and we can see it is very effective. I am sure they are going to do a lot more in terms of performances for entertainment and academically, so we think this is quiet a commendable initiative,” he said.
Mr Maphosa said they have three centres in Bulawayo, with Nkulumane being the youngest which was established in 2016. Lobengula opened its doors to learners in 2010 with George Silundika in 2013.
Herentals has more than 30 branches nationwide and among them are private schools and colleges that offer professional courses.
“We embraced the new curriculum and we are doing everything that is recommended by the Ministry of Education (Primary and Secondary),” said Mr Maphosa.
The principal for Nkulumane centre, Mrs Thulani Chiponda also commended Herentals Group of Colleges for its achievements in academics and sporting activities.
“We would like to congratulate Herentals Football Club for being confirmed the northern region soccer league Division One champions with seven games to spare. The team becomes the first of the four teams to be promoted to the top flight for the 2018 season and it has finally made it to the
Premier Soccer League. We hope to lift up the club,” she said.
“Herentals Group of Colleges won the college of the year award. Herentals Lobengula obtained very good results in English Literature, History and Ndebele at A-level. George Silundika has proven to be a threat to all colleges around town in terms of producing impeccable results and instilling discipline. There is an increase of learners leaving other colleges to come to George Silundika because of results and discipline,” said Mrs Chiponda.
“Herentals College offers flexible payment plans for school fees in order to accommodate everyone so that we prioritise learning. At all centres we have an open door policy which also makes it possible for good communication between our office, the students and also our guardians,” she said.
Recently, the college scooped an award, the Zimbabwe Top College of the Year. Herentals College, which also has a branch in Mutare, was also named the Top College in the 2017 Education and Academic Leadership Excellence category.
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