Bongani Ndlovu
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, [email protected]
THE Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has hailed Pumula High School for it’s remarkable efforts in promoting quality, inclusive, and competency-focused Heritage-Based Education in Bulawayo.
Speaking when he conferred the 1983 established institution with the Secretary’s Merit Award last Friday, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Mr Moses Mhike said the school’s journey exemplifies a powerful demonstration of the positive outcomes that can be achieved when institutions adopt the Heritage-Based Curriculum with dedication, vision, and purpose.
“Pumula High School’s story reflects resilience, growth and transformation. Established in 1983 as an Ordinary Level institution and attaining Advanced Level status in 2004, the school has steadily evolved into an institution associated with excellence. Through determination and commitment, it has continued to rise as a beacon of educational progress,” said Mr Mhike.
He said one of the most encouraging aspects of the school’s progress is its commitment towards implementing the Heritage-Based Curriculum through practical skills development and competency-based learning, adding that educational excellence cannot be measured solely through pass rates, but academic outcomes remain important indicators of progress.
“In this regard, we are pleased to observe encouraging trends in Pumula High School’s academic performance over the past three years. At Ordinary Level, the school has shown steady improvement, with pass rates increasing from 35.9 percent in 2023 to 36.44 percent in 2024 and further rising to 41.59 percent in 2025. Equally impressive has been the performance at Advanced Level, where the school achieved a pass rate of 88.2 percent in 2023, followed by 87.5 percent in 2024 before rising significantly to an outstanding 96.64 percent in 2025,” said the permanent secretary.
He said the trends reflect resilience, determination, and a commitment to continuous improvement and the statistics are not merely figures on paper but instead they tell a story of growth, perseverance and transformation while demonstrating that educational interventions and learner-centred approaches continue to bear fruit.
“Pumula High School’s achievements extend beyond academics. The school has demonstrated exceptional performance across sporting disciplines including athletics, darts, chess and several other sporting activities. Successes in quiz competitions, public speaking and scholastic competitions further reflect a culture of excellence and holistic learner development, said Mr Mhike.
He said the school’s implementation of entrepreneurship initiatives through poultry production, gardening, sewing, food processing and detergent production demonstrates practical application of Heritage-Based Curriculum principles.
Mr Mhike said learners are not merely studying entrepreneurship in theory but are actively participating in productive activities that develop self-reliance and economic skills.
The school has also embraced technological advancement through investments in computer laboratories, smart boards, internet facilities, and technology-enhanced learning systems that prepare learners for participation in an increasingly digital and AI-driven world.
“Furthermore, its commitment to inclusive education and psychosocial support systems shows that quality education must ensure that no learner is left behind.The story of Pumula High School demonstrates that educational excellence does not happen by accident. Excellence is built through vision, hard work, resilience, teamwork, and dedication,” said Mr Mhike.
