ZNA schools shine at Grade Seven exams

ZIMBABWE National Army (ZNA) primary schools recorded a 90 percent pass rate in the 2023 Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) Grade Seven examinations compared to a national pass rate of 45,57 percent.

The sterling performance has been attributed to thorough supervision and inspections by the directorate team. Commander ZNA Bulawayo District, Colonel Collen Ncube, revealed this when addressing delegates at the 2024 Brigade education conference underway at Headquarters Mzilikazi 1 Brigade in Bulawayo. The conference started on Monday and will end on Friday.

Col Ncube said over and above supervision and inspections by the directorate, the termly allowances given to teachers and the prizes given to excelling learners and staff members at the Commander ZNA schools merit awards go a long way in motivating teachers and learners to give their best.

“I want to single out the sterling performance by army primary schools where 10 out of the 12 army primary schools managed to score pass rates above 90 percent, which is by far above the national average pass rate of 45,57 percent. Congratulations to Parachute Regt Primary and Inkomo Primary schools that scored a remarkable 100 percent pass rate,” he said.

Col Ncube said he was told that army primary schools registered an improvement in the quality of exam results last year when compared to 2022.

He said the total number of candidates who scored six units, which is the distinction units, rose from 20 candidates in 2022 to 63 candidates in 2023 while those who obtained 10 units and below, rose from 237 in 2022 to 359 in 2023.

Col Ncube praised the best performing school, 3 Brigade Primary School, which had 25 candidates with six units and was followed by Dzivarasekwa Barracks and Magunje Barracks Primary, which had nine and eight candidates respectively.

He commended the schools’ directorate for professionally administering the 2023 examinations as there were no reports of leakages in any of the army schools, which remains a plus to the image of the organisation.

Col Ncube encouraged the officers to utilise the platform to exchange ideas, learn from experts and stay updated on the latest developments in their fields, as well as articulate ways of improving the level of discipline at army schools.

He said in a world where education is constantly evolving, the conference serves as a vital conduit of knowledge, collaboration and innovation.

“The importance of education cannot be overstated as it plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of teaching and learning. Through inspiration, networking or knowledge dissemination, conferences empower educators to enhance their practices and contribute to the advancement of education as a whole,” said Col Ncube.

He urged the delegates to focus much on their strategic role in the fulfillment of ZNA’s mandate towards the attainment of the objectives of Vision 2030.

“The army has a keen interest in innovation, science and technology, which are critical to the realisation of the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and it is, therefore, important that army schools, which are rich recruitment bases for a disciplined and robust army, put emphasis on educational programmes that instill discipline, a sense of national belonging and an appreciation of a strong scientific and technological skills orientation,” said Col Ncube.

The ongoing conference provides a platform for educators to interface and share ideas on strategies that improve service delivery.