Moffat Mungazi
Liberty Dube
Post Correspondent
NESTLED in the heart of the Eastern Highlands, Mutare Girls’ High School (MGHS) stands tall as one of Zimbabwe’s foremost institutions dedicated to empowering the girl child through holistic education.
The school is, not merely a centre of academic excellence — it is a bastion of learning, leadership, and transformation, shaping confident young women who are ready to make their mark on the world.
MGHS is passionate about and dexterous in girls’ education.
It inspires learners to dream big, think critically and independently, and become accountable, innovative global citizens.
The school’s vision is to nurture graduates who embody confidence, a love for lifelong learning, and a sense of spiritual, social, and economic empowerment that strengthens both community and country.
Speaking during the recent Speech and Prize-Giving Day, the school head, Mrs Sthembile Mbizi, reaffirmed this vision: “There is immense potential in every learner, and this potential can only be effectively harnessed through a heritage-based education. At Mutare Girls’ High, we are leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that we deliver the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education’s mandate — grounding our learners’ learning experience in innovation and cultural heritage.”
True to its tradition of academic distinction, MGHS continues to post impressive results.
In the 2024 public examinations, the school recorded commendable performances at both Ordinary and Advanced Level, a testament to its strong academic culture and dedicated teaching staff.
In the 2024, O-Level examinations, the girls posted 81,4 percent and 98,6 percent for Advanced Level. The school believes they will even surpass this performance this year. The school leadership remains optimistic that the 2025 cohort will surpass these milestones through continued diligence and innovation.
Beyond the classroom, Mutare Girls’ High is a vibrant hub of co-curricular activity.
The school’s sports teams have excelled across disciplines — from basketball, where learners represented the school in regional tournaments in Eswatini, to tennis, drama, and debate.
Notably, the debate team qualified for the Regional Championships in Rwanda, showcasing the school’s intellectual prowess and commitment to nurturing articulate young leaders.
At MGHS, education goes beyond grades and trophies. It is about building resilience, empathy, and leadership.
The school celebrates, not only its top achievers, but also every learner’s journey — the late nights spent studying, the teamwork on the sports field, the leadership shown in clubs, and the acts of kindness that define the MGHS spirit.
“Today is not just about awards and certificates,” Mrs Mbizi reminded learners during the recent Speech and Prize-Giving Day.
“It is about recognising the journey — every step, every effort, and every lesson learned,” she said.
In recent years, MGHS has embarked on an ambitious programme of infrastructural and environmental transformation, aligning with Zimbabwe’s heritage-based curriculum and the global push for sustainability.
Among its notable achievements are:
1. Solar installation of the entire school, including replacement of electric geysers with solar-powered systems.
2. Comprehensive painting and facelift of school facilities.
3. Restoration of the AVM school bus and purchase of a new Toyota minibus to support student mobility.
4. Transition from firewood to gas stoves, advancing the school’s green energy policy.
5. Tiling of classrooms and hostels for enhanced learning and living environments.
6. Renovation of Athlone Hostel, improving accommodation for boarders.
7. Establishment of a viable school tuckshop run sustainably for student benefit.
8. Production of detergents by the Science Department, encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship.
9. Construction of all-weather, state-of-the-art multi-purpose sports fields.
10. Launch of a gardening project producing vegetables, onions, maize, and other crops for self-sufficiency.
11. Acquisition of ICT tools — including smart boards, projectors, and Starlink internet connectivity — to enhance digital learning.
12. Construction of a fish pond as a sustainable source of nutrition and income.
13. Expansion of the poultry project, adding a layers unit and plucking bay.
14. Introduction of HEXCO IT and Agriculture, strengthening the Heritage-Based Curriculum (HBC) and aligning education with practical skills.
These achievements underscore the school’s commitment to modernisation, self-reliance, and holistic learning.
The school was also among the top five high schools in Manicaland to be awarded the Secretary’s Merit Awards this year.
Mrs Tracy Mademutsa, who is the Mutare District Schools Inspector, lauded the school’s progress and spirit during the 2025 Speech and Prize-Giving Day, held under the theme – Unlocking Potential in Learners through Education, Sport, and Culture.
Mrs Mademutsa commended the school community for its resilience and shared purpose.
“Today, we celebrate dedication, achievement, and hard work. There is no substitute for effort, it is only hard work that pays. Success is, not only about winning prizes, but about showing up, pushing through challenges, and growing with every experience,” she said while also paying tribute to the teaching staff, parents, and the School Development Committee (SDC) for their unwavering support.
“You don’t just teach subjects — you shape lives. To our parents, thank you for walking this journey with us. To the school head, Mrs Mbizi, thank you for steering this ship called Mutare Girls’ High School into the safe waters of excellence and notable development,” said Mrs Mademutsa.
Mutare Girls’ High School continues to shine as a symbol of excellence, resilience, and innovation.
It remains committed to shaping young women who are, not only academically gifted, but also morally upright, socially conscious, and ready to lead in every sphere of life.
In a world that is ever-changing, MGHS stands firm in its mission of nurturing the mind, strengthen the character, and illuminate the path to a brighter future for the girl child in Zimbabwe and beyond.
Online Reporter