Private schools cluster celebrates achievements

Wilbrought Ndlovu, Sunday News Reporter

A GROUP of four private schools in Bulawayo under the banner of ACTV whose goal is to educate the nation and ensure there is excellence in the running and administration of the institutions held a celebration where they were recognising achievements and developments of schools within their cluster in areas like sports and academics.

ACTV is a group of private schools namely Angel Primary School, Cana Primary School, Tshebetshebe Primary School and V Mhlophe High School. The schools that are strewn in Bulawayo’s western suburbs of Emganwini, Pumula South, Pumula East and Cowdray Park formed a union to ensure they are accountable in terms of quality of services offered as well as development in all areas of the education system.

Speaking at the occasion, ACTV director and board chairperson Dr Vincent Moyo said the schools were happy to be of service to the country’s education sector adding that they have closed an important gap in the provision of education services.

 “All these schools are under the supervision of the board and 23 September was chosen to celebrate all good work done at ACTV. It is both ubuntuism and Christian to celebrate good work especially efforts that are directed towards the transformation of people’s lives from the present state to a better state. 

“The appraisal tool was designed not only to announce but to celebrate those who have done well in mentoring our children and to encourage everyone within ACTV structure to follow suit. Successful mentoring of children does not only credit our professional CVs, but it is also a major contribution in building our country Zimbabwe,” said Dr Moyo.

Dr Moyo said what the group was doing was in line with President Mnangagwa’s instructive philosophy — nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo.

“It is in respect of that philosophy that I therefore inform the ACTV members of the staff that their efforts are not in vain. I subscribe to the philosophy that says the best gift you can reward your children is education and the best legacy you can leave behind at a national level is to immensely contribute in educating people,” said Dr Moyo.

The event — that was held last Saturday — saw the schools being recognised for excelling in different aspects with Tshebetshebe Primary School getting an award for being the overall best school in terms of infrastructural development and general cleanliness. 

In the category of education, Angel Primary School came first, followed by Tshebetshebe Primary and Cana Primary School respectively. In the category of sports, V Mhlophe won in athletics, chess and baseball.

The headmaster of Tshebetshebe Primary, Mr Phonate Nyoni, was elated after his school was announced the overall winner and attributed the achievement to a shared vision and collective effort among the school staff.

“We appreciate being nominated as the overall best school under the ACTV group of schools. We thank the support given by the director Dr Moyo and everyone else. We appreciate the assistance by the parents in paying fees and all other stakeholders. 

“We have developed the school by constructing a swimming pool and a viable computer room and we have also fenced the school, we are very grateful for being nominated best school and best headmaster,” said Mr Nyoni.

The awards won included electrical gadgets, smartphones and prize money.