Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
MOUNT Melleray Primary School in Nyanga has proven that no learner should ever be left behind after a group of its hearing-impaired learners triumphed at the 2024 National AIDS Council (NAC) Quiz Competitions, scooping first place at the national level.
The school’s BEM/GEM Club—Boy Empowerment Movement and Girl Empowerment Movement—comprising hearing-impaired learners, clinched top honours in Harare after initially winning at the Manicaland provincial level.
Their victory is being celebrated as a competitive win which proves the school’s commitment to inclusive education, Ms Portia Terera, the school’s Special Education teacher, said in an interview.
“We strongly believe in empowering every learner, regardless of ability. When our BEM/GEM Club advanced from the provincial to the national level, it was more than a competition, it was a statement that learners with hearing impairments are equally capable of achieving greatness,” she said.
The winning team include Rufaro Samungure, Precious Gowe, Mercy Gona, and Brendon Nyakurubve.
For their efforts, each team member received a satchel, a T-shirt, a gold medal, and US$275.
The school itself was awarded a 5KV solar system, a significant addition that enhances energy sustainability at the institution.
Mt Melleray Primary School had also won US$300 at provincial level.
The team’s preparation, according to Ms Terera, was rigorous and inclusive.
“We began preparing at the provincial level, and by the time we reached the national stage, our team had been through intensive revisions. We conducted numerous educational visits, held meetings and guidance and counselling sessions, and invited resource persons to assist,” she said.
She added that the team’s success was not just built within the classroom walls.
“There was strong collaboration between the learners, the community, and the school staff. Knowledge, resources, and expertise were shared freely,” she said.
She noted that winning at national level significantly impacted the learners’ confidence and self-esteem.
“Their sense of pride was boosted, they felt more motivated and valued, and their sense of belonging was reinforced. More importantly, they are now role models for other learners with hearing impairments. They have shown that they can lead, excel, and inspire future generations,” she said.
The school head, Mr Blessing Ziyachecha said they have long been a torchbearer of inclusive learning in Manicaland.
“With victories like this one, our school is, not only collecting accolades, but also changing perceptions and breaking barriers for children with disabilities,” he said.
He lauded the achievement and reiterated the school’s commitment to inclusive education.
“Embracing inclusive education is a journey worth taking. We know that every learner deserves to feel seen, heard, and valued,” he said.
He added that the BEM/GEM Club’s victory was a culmination of enthusiasm, inclusion, and belief in the learners’ potential.
“Together, we can create a more inclusive and compassionate world, one step at a time,” he said.
