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Speaking at the Khami District Better Schools Programme of Zimbabwe (BSPZ) Merit Awards at Fusi Primary School in Bulawayo’s Gwabalanda suburb on Monday, the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Dr Obert Mpofu, said it was time youths took advantage of abundant minerals in the country and used them to improve their livelihoods.
“We have many minerals in our country, which make the country what it is. The whites imposed sanctions because we took back the land they grabbed from our ancestors.
“Children in this region should study towards understanding mining development and they should go and register at the Zimbabwe School of Mines,” said Dr Mpofu.
He said the country would continue surviving as it had most minerals in the world though sanctions continued to hinder economic progress.
“It has always been Government’s wish to fulfil the educational rights of every child and Government remains totally committed to this noble cause.
“I therefore implore all stakeholders comprising parents, teachers, former students, Government and the business community to collaborate with various schools in meeting the demands and expectations of Millennium Development Goal Number Two,” said Dr Mpofu.
He pledged to assist Fusi Primary School in building a computer laboratory and to buy computers.
For being the overall best primary school, Fusi walked away with trophies, shields and certificates while Mbizo in Luveve with the best Grade Seven pass rate at 84 percent for last year also got a shield and a certificate.
Percy Ibbotson Primary School was also awarded a certificate and a shield for improved Grade Seven results, which shot from 11 percent in 2010 to 33 percent in 2011.
For being the best performing Grade Seven schools in the district, which had the highest number of candidates who obtained Grade One in each of the subjects examined at Grade Seven, Fusi, Khami and St Bernard’s primary schools also went away with certificates.
Premier High School from Pumula South dominated the awards being the best performing school with the highest number of candidates obtaining five As and above at O-Level.
Of the 12 pupils who obtained more than six As in O-Level, eight were from Premier, two from Inyanda and the other two from Pumula High School.
For the A-Level category, Pumula High, St Bernard’s and Premier high schools came out tops for the best A-Level pupils with a minimum of 14 points from three subjects. Masotsha High School was also rewarded for being the most improved A-Level school as its pass rate rose from zero percent in 2010 to a magnificent 81,25 percent in 2011.
Most schools in the district performed well in the sports category.
Speaking at the same occasion, Bulawayo provincial education director Mr Dan Moyo congratulated Khami District for improving in all aspects.
“This programme was started so we could improve our schools and I am happy because Khami District improved this year. We continue to urge pupils, teachers and parents to put more effort so that our province performs well in the coming years,” said Mr Moyo.
The chairperson of BSPZ Khami District, Ms Vivian Phahlaphahla, who is also the headmistress of Luveve Primary School, also encouraged pupils to work harder for a better Zimbabwe.
“There has been an improvement in our schools and we should be motivated to work harder,” said Ms Phahlaphahla.
The Bulawayo provincial BSPZ Merit Awards will be held in the province next month.
derick.khumalo