Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
THE Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has dismissed speculation surrounding a circulating internal document on the possible renaming of schools in the Mbare/Hatfield District, saying the paper is part of a preliminary consultation process and does not represent any official decision or directive.
In an interview, the director of Communications and Advocacy in the Ministry, Mr Taungana Ndoro said the document had been misinterpreted, leading to unnecessary public speculation.
“We have noted the circulation of an internal working document regarding the possible renaming of certain schools in the Mbare/Hatfield District. We wish to clarify the context in order to avoid unnecessary speculation.”
Mr Ndoro said the memo formed part of routine internal processes used by the Ministry to gather preliminary views and proposals from selected schools on various administrative and policy matters.
“The memo in question is part of a very preliminary, internal information-gathering exercise. As a Ministry, we routinely undertake consultative processes to gather preliminary proposals and justifications from a small selection of schools on a variety of matters,” he said.
Mr Ndoro said no school names have been changed and no formal proposal has been submitted for consideration by the relevant authorities.
“This particular exercise is simply an initial request for suggestions—nothing more. It is not a decision, a directive, or an announcement of imminent changes,” he said.
Mr Ndoro said any future consideration of school name changes would be subject to a comprehensive and inclusive consultative process involving all stakeholders, including parents, alumni, local communities, traditional leaders and other interested parties.
“No school names have been changed, and no final proposal has been tabled before the relevant authorities. Any future consideration of name changes would require a comprehensive and inclusive stakeholder engagement process, with the views of all affected communities fully taken on board.”
Mr Ndoro said Government remained committed to transparency and the preservation of Zimbabwe’s educational heritage, while ensuring that institutions reflect national values.
He also said discussions around renaming schools were not new as Government in previous years has considered proposals to change names of institutions with colonial-era origins.
However, Mr Ndoro said no final decision had ever been taken on the matter.
