Online Reporter
Fungai Lupande
Mash Central Bureau
The introduction of low-cost boarding schools in marginalised districts of Mashonaland Central has played a key role in improving academic performance across the province by saving many rural pupils from long distance daily journeys to get to school and failure to attend lessons due to natural disasters such as floods.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has made notable strides in reducing the number of schools with a zero percent pass rate in secondary school examinations, cutting the figure from 52 schools in 2023 to 16 schools in the latest results.
In 2023, 11 primary schools recorded a zero percent pass rate at Grade 7, which has since been reduced to eight schools.
The zero pass rates were spread across seven districts, with Muzarabani being the most affected.
Provincial education director Dr Themba Mangwiro outlined several measures being taken to eliminate zero percent pass rates and improve overall performance.
He said schools are being staffed with adequate teachers, preferably from the province, to reduce attrition. Teachers from other provinces often resist staying in marginalised districts like Mbire, Muzarabani, and Rushinga.
“We have made it clear that no school should be left without teachers. We have deployed an adequate number of teachers to these schools. Importantly, we ensure that these teachers are from this province to minimise attrition,” he said.
Additionally, inspectors have been dispatched to ensure effective teaching and providing assistance where needed.
Schools are also being supplied with past examination papers to familiarise students with examination formats, while parents are being actively engaged to support their children’s education, and schools are encouraged to collaborate at the cluster level.
Schools Inspector for planning, Mr Paddington Maodzwa reported that the analysis of Grade 7 results shows a pass rate of 40,09 percent in 2022, which improved to 45,57 percent in 2023 but declined to 34,95 percent last year.
Shamva is the only district with no schools at either secondary or primary levels with a zero percent pass rate.
For Ordinary Level the pass rate was 28,96 percent in 2022 and 29,41 percent in 2023 with last year’s results still being analysed. At A’Level, no school recorded a zero percent pass rate and pass rates rose from 88 percent in 2022 to 97.04 percent last year.
Many underperforming schools are satellite institutions lacking proper infrastructure, sufficient textbooks, and qualified leadership.
In districts like Muzarabani and Mbire, students often travel long distances to school. Flooding during the rainy season and human-wildlife conflict further disrupt learning. Non-payment of school fees by parents or guardians also impacts performance.
To address these challenges, low-cost boarding facilities have been established at several schools including; Jiti High School in Shamva, Chifamba High School in Guruve, Muzarabani High School in Muzarabani, Chimhanda, Chapinduka, and Chawarura High Schools in Rushinga and Chapoto High in Mbire.
