daniel chigunwe
Maria Chiguvari
KOTWA Government High School held its Annual Speech and Prize Giving Day, which was attended by parents and representatives of the school’s partners.
Running under the theme “Empowered to Excel, Inspired To Lead,’’ the school celebrated the achievements of its learners across the curriculum.
The school boasts of an enrolment of 1161 learners and a staff compliment of 52 highly qualified teaching staff as well as eight support staff.
The school has significant improvement in both ‘A’ and ‘O’ level pass rates.
Currently, the Advanced level pass rate stands at 97%, which is an improvement from 2022’s 93%.
Of the 101 students, who sat for the ‘A’ level examinations in 2023, 98 of them recorded two or more ‘A’ level passes.
The awards covered the academics, sport and cultural activities that have raised the flag of Kotwa Government High School.
The school headmaster, Mr Makiwa, said the school has faced a myriad of challenges but he the parents that the school will continue to go beyond expectations.
“Kotwa Government High School has maintained and continues to strive towards the holistic academic, cultural, sporting, technological and skills development of our learners.
“The 2023 academic year is more than a footnote in the history of this school.
“The institution continues to outshine its competition as the best provider of quality education in Mudzi district.
“The school recorded a staggering total of 61 learners who attained a minimum of 10 ‘A’ level points. The best being a Sciences’ student, Nota Ryn, who garnered 20 ‘A’ level points.
“The school continues to make significant strides in improving the ‘O’ level pass rate which rose by 7% from 27% in 2022 to 35% in 2023 out of 169 registered candidates, 59 candidates recorded at least 5 ‘O’ level passes with the highest Chimbunde Stanford who attained 9 ‘A’s and 3Bs.
“Kotwa Government High School, being the pride of Mudzi, has not only shown academic prowess or excellence, but has continued to represent the district in various sporting activities.
“The school also continues to outshine others in various extra – curricular and cultural activities and has received recognition provincially in various Olympiads, the school took part in some of these forms of recognition, include the awards given to our learners who took part in Quiz and computer programming Olympiads.
“As a school, we have a number of projects we are currently pursuing. The school is in the process of acquiring a school bus and has initiated a borehole-sinking project.
“Not only that, the school is in the process of improving the learning environment by installing a solar system to mitigate against the power challenges experienced in the country.”
Mr Chisodza, who represented Guest of Honour, Senator Dr Chief Nechombo, said the students should cherish the wins but also take a moment to learn from their challenges.
“As we celebrate, let us remember that success is not just about individual achievements, but also about the positive impact our own efforts have on the people around us.
“We must remember that our efforts, no matter how small they look in our eyes, have the power to change the destiny of those who see us every day.
“Greatness, is not a one-time event, but a series of repeated efforts that we perform every day.
“May we embrace these challenges and setbacks as opportunities for personal and organisational growth.
“May you stay curious, keep learning and never stop exploring. Zimbabwe needs you to be the solution to the various challenges the country is facing and will continue to face in the future.
“To the student body at large, let me take this opportunity to remind you that you need to believe in yourselves, your talents and your abilities.
“Let us support one another, after all, I am because you are.”
The School Development Committee said the school has a vision to build more classroom blocks to meet the demand that has been rising in recent years.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter