Online Reporter
Herald Reporter
THE ability to communicate confidently is increasingly becoming an important part of education, and Solid Rock Group of Schools is placing debate, public speaking and leadership alongside conventional classroom learning as it prepares learners for the demands of life beyond school.
The Domboshava-based private school recently demonstrated the fruits of that approach when its junior school team travelled to South Africa for the Primary Schools Debate Championship (PRiDP).
The team won the public-speaking category and finished second in debate, providing learners with an opportunity to compete against peers outside Zimbabwe.
The achievement has placed the spotlight on a school whose educational programme incorporates academics, technology, sport, communication and character development.
School director Dr Doreen Makande said the South African results reflected the confidence and discipline developed through preparation.
She said education should go beyond examination results by giving learners the ability to communicate clearly, think critically, listen to different viewpoints and express themselves confidently.
The school has continued to strengthen its public-speaking programme, with more than 100 of its high school learners graduating from public-speaking training earlier this year.
The programme forms part of a wider approach through which Solid Rock seeks to develop learners with skills applicable both inside and outside the classroom.
Its academic programme offers ZIMSEC and Cambridge pathways at O-Level and A-Level, with learners exposed to sciences, commercial subjects, humanities, computer studies and practical learning.
Technology is also incorporated into the programme through computer studies and robotics.
The school says practical and technology-based learning is intended to give learners opportunities to apply knowledge, experiment and develop problem-solving skills.
Solid Rock’s extracurricular programme further includes debate, Toastmasters, business activities, music, chess and a variety of sports.
These include football, volleyball, netball, tennis, cricket, karate, athletics and gymnastics.
For learners who require a more structured academic environment, the school operates a boarding programme at its Chirombo Village campus.
Boarders follow a daily routine that includes lessons, supervised study, meals, devotion, sport, clubs, personal responsibilities and recreation.
The school says supervised study provides learners with dedicated time to complete assignments, revise and prepare for examinations, while the wider routine promotes organisation and independence.
The institution is now accepting applications for the 2027 boarding intake.
The admissions drive covers learners entering Form One, students joining other secondary-school levels and candidates proceeding to A-Level, subject to the school’s entry requirements and availability of places.
The school provides both ZIMSEC and Cambridge routes, allowing families to select the pathway appropriate to the learner’s educational plans.
As the school prepares for the 2027 academic year, its recent performance in South Africa has provided another illustration of its stated philosophy — that a well-rounded education should give learners the confidence to speak, the discipline to study and the practical skills to participate meaningfully in society.
