Chronicle Editor
Laurel Murangaridzirayi, [email protected]
JOHN Tallach High School in Ntabazinduna, Umguza District in Matabeleland North on Wednesday received six dustbins from the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) for winning the 2022 national clean schools competition under the Catch Them Young programme.
The Presbyterian Church of Scotland-run school was the winner of the competition in Matabeleland North province.
Nationally, John Tallach High School came fourth in the competition while Pumula High School are the national winners. Louis Mountbatten School in Belvedere, Harare came second and St Sebastian Secondary School in Matabeleland South were third.
The competition was jointly run by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, EMA and Eversharp 15M .
Speaking during a ceremony to honour John Tallach High School, EMA district officer for Umguza, Mr David Maunze lauded the school for excelling in the competition. “You have shown the way from district and at provincial level in the clean schools competition which is meant to encourage schools to keep their environment clean. At national level who came fourth which is a good effort,” he said.
Mr Maunze said children should be taught the importance of keeping their environment clean from a young age.
“You need to catch them young so that they grasp the concepts of a clean environment at a tender age.
The clean schools competition was introduced to encourage pupils to keep their schools environment clean so that they are not at risk of contracting diseases.
Mr Maunze said the competition is in support of the National Clean-up Campaign launched by President Mnangagwa in December 2018.
The President launched the campaign, which aimed at ensuring that the country has sustainable environment management and waste disposal systems to meet its goal of attaining an upper middle-income economy by 2030.
In an interview, John Tallach High School headmaster, Mr Bonakele Ncube said the school prioritises cleanliness.
“It’s our daily routine to clean our environment hence winning this award was not a surprise. Between Monday and Saturday, we have an hour of cleaning our yard and dormitories daily,” he said.
Umguza District Schools Inspector, Mrs Samkeliso Gwaza commended the school for keeping high standards of cleanliness.
“I therefore implore other schools in Umguza district to emulate this school so that their pupils are not at risk of contracting diseases,” said Mrs Gwaze.
Online Reporter