Sibonokuhle Mboni, Sunday News Reporter
INGWALO Secondary School in Emganwini suburb, Bulawayo is expanding its infrastructure and income-generating projects to strengthen learning and improve the school environment, with a double-storey science laboratory expected to be ready for use in January 2027.
The laboratory, which is currently 50 percent complete, is part of the school’s efforts to improve practical science education, complementing investments in transport, security and commercial agricultural production.
Brethren in Christ Church (BICC) Bishop Ayibongwe Hlongwane commissioned the school’s kombi and garage on Friday during its Speech and Prize-Giving Day, celebrating progress in the institution’s development programme.
The school’s kombi is helping to transport learners and teachers while generating income to support school operations and development projects.
The garage provides secure shelter for school vehicles, protecting them from harsh weather and helping to reduce maintenance costs.
School head Mrs Millcent Moyo said the planned science laboratory would enhance practical learning and give learners greater opportunities to develop scientific knowledge and problem-solving skills.
“This facility will strengthen practical learning and give our learners opportunities to experiment, investigate and develop scientific and problem-solving skills,” she said.
Mrs Moyo appealed to parents, the School Development Committee (SDC), former learners, the church and development partners to help complete and equip the laboratory.
“I therefore appeal to our parents, School Development Committee, alumni, Church, well-wishers and development partners to continue supporting us until the laboratory is completed and equipped,” she said.
The school’s infrastructure drive is being complemented by efforts to improve academic performance. Ingwalo recorded a 65,5 percent pass rate in its maiden Ordinary Level examinations in 2025, with five learners passing all 10 subjects they had registered for, while only one learner failed to obtain a pass.
Mrs Moyo said the results provided a foundation on which the school intended to build through closer academic monitoring, targeted support for struggling learners and stronger engagement with parents.
“The 65,5 percent pass rate is a foundation, not our destination,” she said.
In sport and other extracurricular activities, the school made its debut in the 2026 ASSAF series, sending six learners to represent the province at the competition in Beitbridge.
The school is also using commercial agriculture to support its development programme. About 10 000 cabbages have been harvested from its commercial garden, which has since been replanted with 8 000 cabbages alongside carrots, maize, peppers and okra.
Proceeds from the garden will be reinvested in school development projects, according to the SDC.
Other improvements include the purchase of an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to power a Starlink kit donated by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, as well as the construction of guardrooms to strengthen security.
A changing room, currently at slab level, is expected to be completed by April 2027.
Speaking as guest of honour, National University of Science and Technology (NUST) Vice-Chancellor Professor Mqhele Dlodlo urged learners to measure success by personal growth and character development rather than awards alone.
“Excellence is not simply being better than somebody else. It is becoming the best person God has equipped you to become,” he said.
Prof Dlodlo encouraged learners who had not received prizes to remain focused, saying academic recognition at a particular stage did not determine their future potential.
“A prize list is not God’s final verdict on your ability,” he said.
Prof Dlodlo also challenged the school to translate its Christian foundation into practical values and responsible conduct.
“Values that never become actions are only slogans. I urge the church to safeguard the school’s Christian character while ensuring that it continues to deliver quality education,” he said.
Several learners were recognised for their academic performance and conduct.
Oarabile Moyo won the Form One overall best learner award alongside several subject prizes, while Brianna Mudzingwa received the Form Two overall best learner award and the girls’ discipline award.
In Form Three, Tawanda Mubango and Mondliwethu Ndlovu were jointly recognised as overall best learners. Digilearn sponsored the overall best learner awards while Toppers sponsored the special awards.
Ndumiso Mpofu was named best prefect and boys’ discipline winner while Prominence Dube and Grace Nyathi received the smartness awards.
Bhekimpilo Ndlovu was named best former student, with the award sponsored by HDI and Redforce.
Other sponsors included MEDSUP, Jonah Nyoni, Power Systems and Dr Christopher Ndlovu of LSU.
