Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
JZ Moyo High School has strategically reinvented itself, introducing a transformative, revolutionary, and relevant education system to maintain its competitive edge within Zimbabwe’s demanding academic landscape.
The school’s headmaster, Mr George Ndlovu, said that this initiative aligns with the Heritage-Based Curriculum, which mandates institutions to produce learners equipped to meet the demands of an innovation-driven market.
JZ Moyo High School, a co-educational institution located on Majoda Farm, 12km north of West Nicholson Service Centre, was established in 1982 to serve young returnees from Zambia following Zimbabwe’s independence.
Its farm location reflects the founding philosophy of blending academic and practical skills within education. The school operates under the Zimbabwe Foundation for Education with Production (ZIMFEP) authority.
While the school has a capacity for 850 pupils, current enrolment stands at 371. Previously a boarding school, it recently welcomed 85 day scholars from the West Nicholson Service Centre.
“The institution has committed itself to becoming a life-changing force for its learners. Recognising the need to maintain its position in Zimbabwe’s fiercely competitive academic environment, it has focused on delivering a transformative, revolutionary, and relevant education, in line with the Heritage Based Curriculum.
“This transformative shift aims to integrate academia, sports, and vocational training, allowing learners to specialise based on their strengths and interests. The school believes that every learner is valuable and possesses unique talents, hence the need to avoid disadvantaging them through a singular focus on traditional academics,” said Mr Ndlovu.
Mr Ndlovu emphasised the school’s commitment to discovering and developing each learner’s individual interests, enabling them to achieve personal growth and self-sufficiency. Staff are trained to recognise and accommodate each learner’s abilities, providing them with the space to discover their potential.
To ensure inclusivity, the school also features a resource unit for learners with hearing impairments.
Mr Ndlovu outlined that the school offers a wide range of academic subjects, assessed via Zimsec, and technical-vocational subjects at the National Foundation Level, assessed via Hexco. Advanced plans are in place to introduce robotics to Form One and Two classes, alongside additional relevant courses in partnership with Mupfure Industrial and Vocational College.
These courses, Mr Ndlovu said, will equip learners with practical, life-sustaining skills, such as Motor Mechanics and Diesel and Plant fitting.
“We ensure individual attention through in-class interaction and diagnostic testing, allowing learners to be placed in areas where they excel. We are proud to nurture both academic and skills excellence, in line with our Education with Production philosophy.
“The school adheres to a strict work regimen, training all learners to adopt a business-like approach at all times, both within and outside the classroom. Activities are regulated and timetabled, and we do not tolerate non-compliance.
We ensure our senior classes have ample study time.”
Mr Ndlovu attributed the school’s improved results over the years to this system.
Ordinary Level results have seen a steady increase: 37,7 percent in 2021, 52,3 percent in 2022, 62,8 percent in 2023, and 72,2 percent in 2024. Advanced Level results have remained at 100 percent for the past three years.
“For technical and vocational subjects, the outcomes have been more than satisfactory, with exceptional performances across all subjects. We are in the process of tracking our alumni who have succeeded in entrepreneurship, influenced by their technical-vocational training. We are confident we have significantly impacted the lives of our learners and their families.
“As J Z Moyo High School, true to our motto ‘Emthonjeni Wolwazi’ (Source of Knowledge), we welcome all children, regardless of their challenges. Education with production means integrating learners into practical engagement, alongside academics, for their future survival,” he said.
Beyond academics, Mr Ndlovu highlighted the school’s poultry project, with 300 layers and 700 broilers. The school also maintains a garden with 3 000 cabbages and 2 000 tomatoes. These projects supply the dining hall and provide products for sale, with learners actively involved in their management.
Additional projects, including piggery and goat farming, are planned for expansion and commercialisation.
“Overall, we are an institution committed to providing relevant, quality, and inclusive education to all our learners.
We aim to produce empowered and prosperous individuals who understand their environment, are imaginative, innovative, and capable of implementing the Heritage Based Curriculum and contributing to Education 5.0.
“We believe we have reached a positive transformative stage, and our success is rooted in a positive mindset and the ability to start and remain positive, knowing that great things begin from small steps. We are proud of our achievements, despite limited resources, and strive for more. We thank all parents and guardians for their continued support in this transformative journey and assure them that we will not disappoint.”
— @DubeMatutu
Bongani Ndlovu
Bunjiwe Mkwananzi