Schools urged to nurture holistic students

Sports Correspondent
MANICALAND schools have been urged to produce holistic students by nurturing, developing and perfecting their various talents academically as well as in extra-curricular activities. Manicaland Provincial Education Director Edward Shumba said this last Friday during a speech and prize-giving ceremony at Mutare Boys’ High School where he was the guest of honour.

He said education was a basic necessity for every child and this also included sports development and nurturing individual talents of children from kindergarten right up to college.

“In life, we have different talents. I urge all schools to nurture, develop and perfect these talents that our children have. Life after school might not necessarily be from our academic qualifications, but sporting prowess or even vocational skills.

“Our aim as the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is to equip children in the three-tier pathway: academic, vocational or technical and sporting,” said Shumba.

Officially unveiling the Mutare Boys’ High Old Boys Association charter, one of the four first black students to enrol at the institution in 1980, Richard Chivandire, said there was need for old boys to come back and motivate students.

“There are several old boys from Mutare Boys’ High who have made it big in the world.
“We can talk of Lovemore Banda, who was the first black head-boy at this school and is Zimbabwe Cricket communications manager and a former ZBC news anchor.

“Imagine what his mere presence would do if he were to come here and just give a motivational speech to the students. With the launch of this charter, it is our clarion call to all Mutare Boys’ High Old boys to come and assist.

“This is the least philanthropic thing one can do as part of the Mutare Boys’ High family,” said Chivandire.
Mutare Boy’s High school head Matthew Tondoya said linking of old boys in various school activities was important.

Tondoya said he would strive to revive Mutare Boys’ High’s past reputation as a sporting powerhouse in Manicaland, but also focus on producing a holistic student as recommended by the PED.

“Some of the old boys like Chivandire were excellent rugby players here, but now they are holding senior positions in the corporate world. This is because they were holistic students who excelled both in sport and academics.

“The approach is not to throw all your eggs in one basket, but give talented sportspersons fall-back positions in the wake of mishaps,” said Mr Tondoya.