The ManicaPost
Senior Reporter
GOVERNMENT is committed to the provision of an all-encompassing education to children that encourages entrepreneurship, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has said.
Speaking at Mavhudzi High School in Nyazura where she crowned the Government school as the best secondary school in Manicaland for 2016, Dr Sylvia Utete-Masango, said pupils must have a business mentality in order to create future employers.
“The ministry’s mandate is promote the provision of inclusive and relevant holistic quality junior and secondary education. Secondary school education is expected to develop the skills gained at primary school level in a progressive manner. As we work on improving the quality of education, our teachers are a critical component that plays a vital role in preparing learners to lead successful and productive lives. “Teacher effectiveness has a powerful impact on learners since it is the single most important input factor influencing learner achievement, therefore teachers and schools heads need capacitating since they play a crucial role in the implementation of the curriculum. Upon leaving school at different points, the learners must have acquired living skills which encompass problem solving, critical thinking, leadership, communication, team building as well as technological skills.”
Dr Utete-Masango praised Mavhudzi High for a job well done.
The Permanent Secretary’s Merit Award was accompanied by a $10 000 cheque that will be used to set up an e-learning block fully equipped with new age interactive boards, 45 laptop computers and a projector.
“You have every reason to smile and celebrate because you did well. You did Makoni District proud,” she said and added:
“The selection was premised on the achievements scored by the school in compliance to the pre-set education standards, expectations and the effort made by the school to transform itself in the desired direction for national, social and economic development. Key aspects were quality education, curriculum compliance, good governance, learner achievement, innovation and community involvement.”
Dr Utete-Masango was impressed by the quality of projects at the school which include animal husbandry, poultry, piggery and gardening.
“We appreciate the wide array of programmes that are being offered here. Yes, there are areas that need improvement, for example when we are talking of life skills orientation programmes, what we are saying is that in whatever you are doing you must see the business component in that given area.”
She urged schools to quickly embrace new information technologies and move with the times.
“We have to embrace technology we cannot wish it away. Technology has moved to the classroom and we are now using ICT aided tools for teaching. That’s the direction we are taking and with time all classrooms must be suitable for E-learning,” she said.
Mavhudzi High headmaster, Mr Elliot Chimbade, was at loss of words to explain the joy of winning the provincial crown.
He attributed the success to the team work showed by all stakeholders at the school in providing quality education to learners.
