The ManicaPost
There was a time when Chibuwe High School, the biggest rural district council- owned boarding school in the country, domiciled in Chipinge, produced appalling ‘O’ Level results but in 2019, there was a massive rise from 45,92 percent in 2018 to 61,7 percent pass rate at ‘O’ Level in 2019, a feat which is unprecedented since the institution opened its doors to the public in 1979.
“Teamwork carried the day for us. Our engagement with the staff members was superb. Motivation comes in many forms and for the astonishing work done by our teachers and students, I attribute that to God. God was in control.
“Teachers attended workshops and students engaged in seminars and at times, the school invited experts in different learning areas.
“In essence, unity is the key to success,’’ said the Headmaster, Mr Gift Dhliwayo.
Another area which helped teachers in this information technology laden world was the provision of laptops to heads of departments for use in research.
Mr Tarwiwa Chitombo, the acting deputy head, said: “Every department has a laptop for research purposes. Whatever the teachers found in their research would be stored in the laptops to be cascaded to the learners and I am happy that for both ‘O’ and ‘A’ Level results, the quality improved tremendously.’’
Chibuwe High School is a child friendly school which caters for both male and female students in the provision of quality education. To that end, Tinotenda Timothy Mtetwa had 11 distinctions while Prudence Hodera notched 10 A’s to become the 2019 ‘O’ level best female student.
“Joseph Musara and Kudzai Sithole also bagged 10 A’s.
“It is worth noting that these results come on the backdrop of two sisters, Ellen and Ella Zimunya who posted impressive results at ‘A’ Level in 2019 when they obtained 15 and 14 points respectively,” said the Deputy Head, Mr Chitombo.
Parents, through the School Development Committee, vowed to continue supporting the head, staff and non-teaching staff as the school goes head to head with some of the giants in academic circles. 16 students had 5A’s or more in the 2019 ‘O’ Level examinations but the head, teachers and parents want more in 2020.
Mr Innocent Mlilo, the School Development Committee chairperson, hailed the parents, teachers and student body for a job well done.
He said: “It’s all down to hard work on the side of the head, teachers, students and everyone connected to Chibuwe High Schol.
“The giant has awoken and we are ready to stand toe to toe with the heavyweights such as St Faith’s as we seek to continue improving our pass rates.’’
Out of 222 students who sat for the 2019 ‘O’ Level examinations, 137 had five subjects and above.
Mr Richard Gabaza, the Chipinge District Schools Inspector, was upbeat about the good pass rate in the district and Chibuwe High School in particular.
He said: “Chibuwe High School has set a standard which it must maintain or surpass going forward.
“I noted that the natural sciences had good passes and that is in tandem with the government’s thrust of enhancing Science education for economic and social transformation.’’
The oasis in the desert has stood up to be counted.
