Online Reporter
Nqobile Tshili, [email protected]
ACROSS Zimbabwe, schools are adopting commercially viable units to fund infrastructural development and reduce reliance on traditional fees. St Paul’s Amandlethu AMR High School in Lupane, Matabeleland North, exemplifies this approach by integrating practical, skills-based learning. Through its agribusiness initiatives, the school has modernised its science laboratory, built a girls’ hostel, and installed a flush toilet system, enhancing the learning environment for students.
The school is among eight primary and secondary schools in Matabeleland North that received the Primary and Secondary Education Secretary’s Merit Awards for fostering inclusive learning through home-grown solutions.
Other schools receiving the same award are George Silundika ZIMFEP High School, Inyathi High School, and Hlangabeza High School in the secondary level category, with Magama Mission Primary School, Kariyangwe Primary School, Kusile Government Primary School, and Megawatt Primary School recognised in the primary level section.
Primary and Secondary Education Permanent Secretary, Mr Moses Mhike, presented the awards at a joint awards ceremony held at St Paul’s Amandlethu AMR High School.
While the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is expected to conduct the merit awards annually, it was unable to do so for the past four years, leading to a blended ceremony covering the period 2021 to 2024.
Mr Mhike stated that the Secretary’s Merit Award celebrates schools that have excelled in delivering quality education through collaboration between educators and parents.
“This prestigious accolade is reserved for those schools that uphold the highest standards of performance, both within their province and on a national scale. Through this recognition, we honour the invaluable contributions of pupils, parents, teachers, and school administrators who have worked hand-in-hand to achieve excellence,” said Mr Mhike.
He said the awarded schools excelled in learner outcomes, produced thriving commercial units, undertook cultural activities, sports, and other vital aspects that embody a child-friendly school.
Mr Mhike said that in 2021, the Ministry recognised schools that responded to the Government’s call to commercialise production units to enhance food security and generate income. He said Magama Mission Primary School and St Paul’s Amandlethu AMR High School emerged victorious in this category.
“Magama Mission Primary School is commended for its exemplary efforts in commercialising production units that saw an improvement in pupil health and wellness issues. The school was also able to increase its revenue streams.
Magama Primary School successfully implemented large-scale projects such as goat farming, bee farming, poultry production, and horticultural activities.
“St Paul’s Amandlethu AMR High School earned the 2021 Secretary’s Merit Award for its outstanding commitment to sustainable commercial ventures and income generation. The school has successfully expanded its livestock projects, fish farming, piggery, and poultry farming, with additional focus on goat and cattle farming. These initiatives have created a self-sustaining environment that benefits the school’s food requirements and its income-generating efforts,” he said.
He said the school has invested in infrastructure development, fully equipping its science laboratory, the girls’ hostel, and installing a flush toilet system, ensuring a comfortable and conducive learning environment.
Mr Mhike said that through its commercial ventures, the school has deployed technology, streamlining the online learning experience for pupils.
He said that in 2022, Kariyangwe Primary School won the award for strengthening foundational learning, creating safe and supportive environments, implementing the home-grown school feeding programme, and promoting strong parental involvement.
Mr Mhike said that through home-grown solutions, the school, situated in Binga district, also improved its pass rate.
“The school has significantly improved its pass rate from 32 percent to 44 percent, demonstrating the impact of its focused educational initiatives. A key component of its success is the construction of an ECD complex and the installation of a solar-powered water system, making it a safe school for learning,” said Mr Mhike.
He said local farmers supported the Home-grown School Feeding Programme, ensuring that pupils receive nutritious meals and improving learner attendance.
Mr Mhike said that in the same year, George Silundika ZIMFEP High School received the award for secondary schools for advancing technical vocational education and offering HEXCO courses.
He said that in 2023, the ministry shifted its focus to embracing Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) education, embracing gender-responsive teaching for industrialisation and modernisation.
He said Kusile Primary School emerged as the best, with Inyathi High School excelling.
“Kusile Government Primary School is recognised for its full adoption of STEAM/STEM education, promoting a gender-balanced and inclusive learning environment. The school has embraced 21st-century learning areas like robotics, coding, and engineering, conforming to the outcomes of the Heritage-Based Curriculum. The school also embraced disability inclusion by putting up ramps to classroom entrances, ensuring accessibility for all pupils and promoting equal educational opportunities,” he said.
Mr Mhike said Kusile Primary also produced an impressive 100 percent pass rate and continues to set a benchmark for academic excellence in Matabeleland North.
He said Inyathi High School won the 2023 Secretary’s Merit Award for refurbishing its science laboratories and introducing hands-on STEAM projects, enabling pupils to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Mr Mhike said the school is committed to inclusivity, as reflected in its state-of-the-art library, which offers internet access and provides equal resources to all pupils.
“The school has also demonstrated a commitment to environmental sustainability by constructing a 210 000 mega litre water reservoir and undertaking horticulture production. Its impressive academic performance, with a 99,2 percent O level pass rate and 100 percent A-level pass rate in 2023, showcases its dedication to excellence,” said Mr Mhike.
He said Hlangabeza High School earned the 2024 Secretary’s Merit Award for its significant improvement in academic performance, infrastructure development, and commercial ventures.
Mr Mhike said last year Megawatt Primary School was recognised for its outstanding academic performance, achieving an overall pass rate of 96 percent.
He said the school developed a modern administration block, classroom blocks, a culture village, and a computer lab, ensuring a conducive environment for teaching and learning.
“Megawatt’s Home-grown School Feeding Programme, supported by poultry, rabbit farming, and gardening projects, ensures self-sustainability. The school has deployed technology in its teaching and learning, investing in a smart classroom equipped with computer desktops that support digital learning and innovation. The school’s successful tuck shop and entrepreneurial projects contribute to its financial independence,” he said.
Mr Mhike said Hlangabeza High School in Nkayi produced a 73 percent O-level pass rate and a 98 percent A-level pass rate, demonstrating a commitment to academic excellence.
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