Chronicle Editor
Leonard Ncube
[email protected]
GRACE Missions High School, a private school in Victoria Falls became the first learning institution in Matabeleland North to take learners for an educational trip at the Matabeleland North Agricultural Show in Hwange.
The show took place recently and pupils from Grace Missions, joined by some from Hudini School of Science and Technology, another private school from Victoria Falls attended every day of the show.
There were 36 learners including Form ones up to Form Fours from both schools.
The aim of the educational trip was to expose learners to practical and real life situations through interaction with companies and businesses in line with requirements of the competence based education curriculum adopted by Zimbabwe in its primary and secondary education system, focusing on developing skills and competencies such as problem solving, critical thinking, leadership, technological enterprise and the philosophy of Ubuntu.
Central to the curriculum is research and innovation which also hinge on the Heritage Based Education 5.0, a philosophy of higher education that encompasses five critical components namely, teaching and learning, community service, research, innovation, and industrialisation that the Second Republic introduced for tertiary education.
To produce learners who can create jobs and contribute to the economy, Grace Missions took class learning to the Matabeleland North Show Society to expose its learners to real life situations and they interacted with several entities including Parliament of Zimbabwe, Westgate Technical College, Don Bosco, Zimbabwe School Examination Council, Department of Lands and Mechanisation, Hwange Colliery Company, Zimbabwe Power Company, police, Zimbabwe National Army, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and others.
Ms Nomadia Tototayi an Agriculture teacher at Grace Missions High School and Ms Marvelous Ndlovu led the learners on the five-day trip.
Ms Tototayi said the trip was organised as a career guidance for learners.
“We have passion for kids and we planned the trip more like as a career guidance. As an Agriculture teacher I wanted the learners to be exposed to farm machinery and implements and interact with experts from these fields.
“We also engaged Hudini School which is also located in Victoria Falls and we had to take along some projects by the learners which also excited exhibitors,” she said.
Among the learners were junior Member of Parliament for Hwange West Poloso Hansel Dube who is also Junior Minister of Primary and Secondary Education and is a Grace Missions pupil.
Speaking at a business conference during the agricultural show, the junior MP emphasised the need for the business community to help capacitate young people so they have a brighter future.
“I stand here guided by Education 5.0, we are staring industrialization but where is the motivation for innovation. In short I am just saying motivate students, tell them what is required and how you recruit. We want to be recruited in our areas so we pursue careers in the field we saw here,” he said.
Some learners, Andrew Muwengwa, Michael Chidzere, Chris Mangezi, Anthony Veremu and Sibusiso Mpote exhibited chickens, pigeons, rabbits, and vegetables as they have ventured into farming.
Grace Mission’s directors are Professor Rev John Gumbo and Mrs Regina Gumbo.
Hudini directors are Mr Admire Hudini and wife Mrs Sharon Hudini.
Grace Missions motto is “Fly eagles fly, soaring high on the wings of enlightenment” while “Unleashing Potential for Excellency” is Houdini’s motto.
-@ncubeleon
Online Reporter