Online Reporter
Maria Chiguvari
ST John’s High School Chikwaka emerged as the top winner for the 2026 Anglican Bishop’s Merit Awards held recently at the school.
The school received top recognition for having the highest number of innovation and heritage-based projects, among participating schools.
One of the standout projects was the school’s student-run hatchery equipped with two incubators capable of processing 240 eggs at a time, giving learners practical agricultural and business management experience.
St John’s High also earned praise for operating one of the most successful school-based driving schools in the Diocese, producing nationally-recognised drivers while equipping students with valuable life skills before leaving school.
The school has also embraced modern technology and innovation through the introduction of a Computer Aided Design laboratory.
The facility allows learners to develop digital and engineering skills through architectural and structural design preparing them for opportunities in science, technology and engineering fields.
The school head, Brian Mandikutse, said the school takes pride in the exceptional results it has produced over the years.
He said the school also takes pride in embracing technology and innovative student programmes, industrial projects and vocational training initiatives.
Speaking during the awards ceremony, the Rt. Rev Dr Farai Mutamiri, Bishop of The Anglican Diocese of Harare, commended schools that are embracing practical education and innovation in line with Zimbabwe’s heritage-based curriculum.
“The Bishop’s Merit Award 2026 recognises Anglican schools that have demonstrated excellence in infrastructure development and sound management of projects that support the growth vision of the Anglican Diocese of Harare CPCA. Schools are expected to create learning environments that promote development and sustainability.
“The award also honours schools embracing the Education 5.0 model through innovation, industrialisation, digital literacy, artificial intelligence and entrepreneurship.
“The focus is on equipping learners with practical life skills while promoting Zimbabwe’s Heritage-Based Education philosophy.”
Rev FR Waziweyi described the school as a model institution that is successfully blending academic excellence, vocational skills and Christian values.
“The awards not only celebrate the educational achievement but also highlighted the growing importance of innovation and skills development in Zimbabwean schools,” he said.
The guest of honour, Naison Muza, described education as the most powerful tool for empowerment and national development.
Muza said the awards mark a historic turning point for the Diocese as it moves towards branding its schools and promoting a culture of performance, accountability and meritocracy.
“In previous years, the Diocese recognised excellence through separate platforms targeting best-performing schools.
“This new consolidated awards system now recognises excellence in different areas including academics, sports, discipline, infrastructure development, curriculum innovation, inclusivity and adherence to Anglican values,” he said.
He added that the initiative was inspired by the Diocese’s exceptional performance during the 2025 academic year, which recorded the best Ordinary and Advanced Level results in its history.
Muza said the strong pass rates reflected the dedication of teachers, school heads, rectors and learners across Anglican schools.
He expressed confidence that the introduction of the Bishop’s Merit Awards would motivate schools to achieve even greater results in future.
Muza said the programme aligns with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2, which place education, innovation, science and technology at the centre of economic transformation.
He said that the Heritage-Based Curriculum is helping schools produce learners who are academically strong, innovative and entrepreneurial while remaining grounded in Zimbabwean cultural values.
