Online Reporter
Trish Mukwazo, [email protected]
SIZANE High School marked a significant milestone on Thursday with the commissioning of its new state-of-the-art classroom block aimed at enhancing the school’s infrastructure and providing an improved learning environment for its students.
The ceremony coincided with the school’s annual speech and prize-giving day, showcasing the institution’s commitment to academic excellence and student achievement.
Top achievers in various fields from form one to six were awarded with different prizes for excelling in their studies.
Learners were given an opportunity to showcase their talents in various performances such as singing, dancing and reciting poems.
National University of Science and Technology (NUST)’s retired dean of students and lecturer, Dr Sibongile Kamusoko, was the guest of honour, joining other invited delegates, the school’s staff members, administration, parents and SDC executives.
In his remarks, the school head, Mr Khumbulani Sibanda, said the new block will decongest the combined science laboratories, and highlighted that at the present moment, the school uses combined science laboratories as classes.
“Ordinarily, laboratories should only be used for science lessons; the rate of vandalism will be greatly reduced and we will also be able to renovate our laboratories to world-class standards now that they will be free,” he said.
Mr Sibanda said the school managed to construct the new block in just four months.
“The building commenced in early May 2025 and was completed in early September 2025,” he said.
Renowned for being one of the top performing schools in Bulawayo, Sizane High School was established in 1963 and currently has 1,331 learners, boasting of exceptionally high pass rate.
Under Mr Sibanda’s leadership, the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church-run school has equally distinguished itself in practical subjects, as it equips learners with business and life survival skills, aligning itself with the country’s Heritage-Based Education curriculum.
This has seen the school sustaining lucrative projects such as Rabbit rearing, layers project, broilers project, fish farming, market gardening and running a tuckshop.
In his address, Dr Kamusoko said the introduction of the Heritage-Based curriculum in Zimbabwe aims to integrate cultural heritage with modern education, focusing on practical skills and national development.
She emphasised that Education 5.0 promotes innovation and industrialization, thereby encouraging students to produce goods and services that improve people’s lives.
“By infusing the curriculum with heritage content, students can develop citizenship, cultural awareness and historical thinking skills, ultimately becoming leaders and innovators,” he said.
Speaking at the same occasion, Zimpapers Intake Editor, Limukani Ncube, said digital platforms play a huge role in the education system.
He noted that Zimbabwe’s education modelling was undergoing an important transformation, and noted how last year the Government introduced the Heritage-Based Curriculum, which seeks to align the education system with identity, culture, and national development goals.
“At its heart, the Heritage Based Curriculum is designed to produce graduates who are not just knowledgeable, but innovative, creative and equipped with practical skills to develop our nation,” said Dr Ncube.
“But in this digital age, there is one crucial tool that can powerfully support this curriculum, which is digital platforms. First, digital platforms are bridges between tradition and innovation.
“The Heritage Based Curriculum encourages us to preserve and value our heritage – our languages, our cultural values like Ubuntu and our history,” he said.
Dr Ncube also highlighted that through digital platforms, learners can document oral traditions, archive community stories and share cultural expressions online.
“This ensures that our heritage is not only preserved in textbooks, but is also kept alive and accessible to future generations,” he said.
Dr Ncube concluded his remarks by applauding learners who received prizes, saying Sizane High School is not just keeping up with change but is preparing leaders who will thrive in it.
Fostering innovation and excellence among its students, Sizane High School excelled in the Robot Olympiad by securing third place in the Bulawayo province finals and qualifying three learners for nationals.
They came in third place in the Robot Olympiad Bulawayo province finals, and three learners qualified for the national finals. The team was awarded certificates and medals. The club continued to fly the school’s flag high.
Located at Pelandaba suburb in Bulawayo, Sizane High School is one of the oldest schools in the city, widely acclaimed for its premier education standards in Zimbabwe and Southern Africa at large.
Over the years, Sizane High School has gained a reputation for academic, cultural and sporting excellence, producing men and women of integrity and value who have become widely influential in Zimbabwe, Africa, and the rest of the world.
