Online Reporter
Langalakhe Mabena, [email protected]
ST COLUMBA’S High School in Bulawayo is strengthening its digital learning capabilities and innovation programmes as it builds on a strong academic record and prepares learners for an increasingly technology-driven world.
The school’s plans were highlighted yesterday during its annual Speech and Prize-Giving Day, where learners from Form One to Six were recognised for outstanding academic performance, while teachers who achieved a 100 percent pass rate in their respective subjects in the 2025 public examinations were also honoured.
The event provided an opportunity to celebrate academic achievements and outline the school’s efforts to expand the use of technology in teaching and learning.
St Columba’s recorded a 98,31 percent Ordinary Level pass rate and a 100 percent Advanced Level pass rate in the 2024 examinations. In 2025, all levels attained a 100 percent pass rate, according to the school.
Delivering the keynote address, guest of honour Professor Sifiso Mpofu commended the school for celebrating academic excellence despite prevailing economic challenges.
He said the annual ceremony played an important role in motivating learners, particularly those preparing to sit for their final examinations.
“It gives me great pleasure to be part of this year’s annual Speech and Prize-Giving Day, a celebration of excellence, commitment, achievement and human development.
“Today is a special moment, as it is a day that comes once a year and yet it is transforming lives, both for those who excelled and received prizes and for those who look on and say, ‘Next time it will be me,” said Prof Mpofu.
“This is a day set aside not merely to distribute prizes, but to honour those who have done well and to inspire those who almost got there but missed the mark a little bit. This occasion is an inspiration for both parents and learners and to the next generation of leaders.”
Prof Mpofu urged the school to take a leading role in embracing artificial intelligence (AI) and other digital technologies, which he said were becoming increasingly important in education.
He said the responsible use of technology could empower learners by providing access to information and tools that enhance their studies.
“If used in the right way, digitisation has the potential to empower young minds and give them useful tools and all the information they need to improve their education,” said Prof Mpofu.
Prof Mpofu, who grew up in Makokoba, said the community should be proud of St Columba’s for establishing itself as a successful school in one of Bulawayo’s oldest townships.
He urged learners preparing for their Ordinary and Advanced Level examinations to work hard and believe in themselves.
St Columba’s headmaster, Reverend Canon Albert Ncube, said the school was strengthening its teaching staff and infrastructure in response to technological developments.
“The world is changing day by day and it is our duty as humans to catch up with new technologies. As a school, the management is aware of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) world,” he said.
“With that in mind, the evolution of the school is already miles and miles ahead in catching up with technological advancement.”
Rev Ncube said the school was equipping its laboratories and installing computers in almost every classroom.
“I stand here in front of you to tell you about the devices that we have. The school is equipping our laboratories as we put computers in almost every classroom. We are now running the computer agency designed in-house,” he said.
“Remember, we used to outsource technology skills, but now the school is in a position where we have developed such that we are now going to be running our computer programmes internally. We have hired IT specialists to equip our learners with all the technology to survive the world out there.”
Rev Ncube said the school had also established an innovation hub to nurture learners’ creativity and talents.
One of the projects to emerge from the hub is a water purification initiative, with the school now packaging and selling purified water to the community.
School Development Committee (SDC) deputy chairperson Mr Benkosi “BKay” Maphosa said the school was ready to embrace digital learning and keep pace with developments in education.
He said the school had full internet connectivity and was upgrading its computer laboratory to meet the growing demands of technology-based learning.
“We are ready to adjust to the digital new normal in terms of delivering lessons to learners. The improvements in technology advancement would help create an environment where learners could make greater use of technology in their studies,” said Mr Maphosa.
SDC chairman Dr Sylvester Machingura congratulated learners who received prizes and encouraged those who did not make the list to work harder.
He said every learner had an opportunity to improve their performance and qualify for recognition in the coming year.
“As a school, we are ready to continue and maintain high-quality education which our learners appreciate so much. I also want to thank the parents and everybody who supports the school and everybody who helps us on a day-to-day basis to achieve our goals,” said Dr Machingura.
