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MINISTER of Primary and Secondary Education, Dr Lazarus Dokora officially opened Pamushana High School state-of-the-art library in Bikita, Masvingo province, Saturday 10 October 2015.
Speaking at the official launch celebration graced by the Provincial Education Director for Masvingo Province, Mr Z.T. Chitiga, DEO —Bikita District, Mr Jenjedzwa, education officers and invited heads of other schools, Dr Dokora said he was encouraged by the level of dedication and commitment demonstrated by all stakeholders of Pamushana High School.
“The library, whose official opening we are witnessing today, is one of the largest I have ever seen at any school in Zimbabwe,” said the education minister. “It houses 800 students at once.
It is an expression by parents of the value they attach to the education of their children.
It houses a reading room and a reference section which comprises both reading materials and internet research facilities for both students and staff.”
Dr Dokora said he had heard beautiful noises about the existence of a new library at Pamushana, but on further enquiries friends told him it was not just another library, but zi-library (mega-library).
Dr Dokora praised the headmaster of Pamushana High School and National Association of School Heads (NASH), Mr Johnson Madhuku who prudently chose to build zi-library to serve the needs of students first before constructing an administration block.
“This library is certainly going to improve the knowledge and skill level of the learners. It will inculcate a reading culture which is critical in self-development,” said the Minister.
He acknowledged that the library was constructed to meet the research and information needs of Pamushana High School but added, “. . . these needs in turn will satisfy the curricular requirements of applied research that is linked to socio-economic needs of our country.
“Without libraries, there would be no universities, resulting in the creation of a drought of professionals. All professionals, whether graduates or not, are capable of utilizing their skills through the knowledge they acquire from books and cyber sources,” he said.
Dr Dokora emphasized that libraries played a great role in national development through the support they offer the education sector.
The Minister thanked the Beit Trust for assisting in the construction of zi-library with a grant and Mr Nyika from CBZ for assisting with a loan. He said he hoped that the gesture noted here would not be the last. Emphasizing the importance of moral rearmament in schools Dr Dokora also took the opportunity to urge learners to have good morals underpinned by Ubunthu/Unhu. He concluded by thanking Pamushana High teachers for working hard and resembling the old-guard teacher who selflessly dedicated himself or herself to achieving best learning outcomes for learners.
“The high performance this school is known for is partly a consequence of the teachers’ dedication to duty. This is the caliber of teachers that our new curriculum requires,” the Minister said. Speaking at the same occasion, Pamushana High headmaster, Mr Johnson Madhuku, had pointed out that his teachers’ commitment and dedication to work was reminiscent of the ‘old fashioned’ teacher who dutifully and faithfully responded to a calling, and not grumblingly tied onto a last resort-career.
Madhuku also took the occasion to tell more than one thousand local and visiting parents and invited guests present that Pamushana had proudly earned top position in both ‘O’ level and ‘A’ level examination results for 2014 in Masvingo.
“With the highest ‘O’ level candidature in the country we ought to have been the best in Zimbabwe, and not just in Masvingo Province,” he asserted equivocally blaming seemingly unfair statistical rating.
Local traditional leadership and the record parent attendance gave Pamushana’s zi-library a celebratory and tumultuous official opening it deserved.
Online Reporter