adminPamela Shumba Chronicle Reporter
THREE pupils from Ingwegwe and Inkanyezi Primary Schools scooped top prizes in the Bulawayo provincial Universal Postal Union (UPU) international letter writing competition. The annual competitions are sponsored by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz).
Nompumelelo Sibanda and Prudence Xuza from Ingwegwe Primary School in Pumula East came first and second respectively, while Eunice Nembaware from Inkanyezi Primary School in New Lobengula scooped the third prize in the competition running under the theme “Write someone a letter explaining why water is a precious resource”.
The pupils walked away with certificates, shields and stationery hampers, while the two schools also received certificates and library books.
Nompumelelo, who will represent the province in the national competition next month also walked away with $300 cash while Prudence and Eunice got $200 and $100 respectively.
Speaking at the prize giving ceremony at Ingwegwe on Tuesday, the acting education officer for Mzilikazi district, Mr Collet Sithole, congratulated the three pupils for winning the competition, saying it was aimed at promoting environmental awareness among members of the public.
“The competition, like all previous competitions is aimed at promoting awareness among people from all walks of life, especially our children. It encourages pupils to actively participate in solving environmental problems in their respective neighborhoods.
“This competition is in line with the country’s Millennium Development Goals number one and seven, which seek to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger and to ensure environmental sustainability,” said Mr Sithole.
He urged parents to work closely with the teachers and support their children in all the activities that they take part in at their schools.
The Potraz director of postal and courier services, Mr Kennedy Dewera said his company was determined to support the education sector through different programmes.
“As Potraz, we believe that quality education is the key component of the development of any country. We are determined to support the education sector given the number of programmes that we have partnered with the ministry responsible for education.
“However, the modern day postal and courier services sector thrives on the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in the schools.
This competition comes as a useful platform to enhance the education system and a means by which pupils develop basic competences and skills required in the use of ICTs,” said Mr Dewera.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter