Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
MUTAMBARA High School continues to hold its head up since its establishment in 1935, as it remains one of the most sought after academic institutions in the country.
The United Methodist Church-run institution, which is domiciled in Chimanimani District, is revered for its well-grounded policy and reputation of producing well-groomed all-round learners after a six-year cycle of academic incubation.
The school has made significant strides since its inception and remains a shining example, not only in Manicaland, but the nation at large, on running a mixed boarding school.
The school has over the years proven to be parents’ first choice for enrolling learners as evidenced by its ability to attract learners outside Manicaland.
Parents and guardians want their children, not only to receive quality education, but to also get spiritual guidance for them to grow up in a “methodical” way.
The school has all the ingredients for success — passionate Responsible Authority (RA), dynamic and hardworking teaching staff, dedicated learners, aware of their responsibilities, not only to maintain the school status, but to take it to dizzy heights.
The school head, Mr Forgiveness Chawareerwa believes that the success of the school hinges on several formidable combinations, chief among them, positive guidance from the church, dedication of teaching and support staff as well as supportive parents and guardians.
The school’s Advanced Level Crop Science class are growing Rio Grande tomato plants as part of their academic practicals in an open field at the agriculture fields
Mr Chawareerwa said former learners have joined hands to plough back by spearheading a number of crucial developmental projects at the institution.
“Mutambara High School is an institution owned by the United Methodist Church and established in the 1930s. Our learners perform very well, and the school has garnered a reputation of producing high flying academic products, a feat that has seen us attracting learners from all over the country. In terms of academic achievements, we rank among the top giants of this country.
“By being owned by the United Methodist Church, it means we are a deeply rooted religious institution where learners and staff get guidance from pastors stationed at the school.
Mutambara High School Administration Block
“The pastors are always attending to the spiritual needs of our learners and staff through spiritual guidance, guidance and counselling and captivation sermons and preaching. As a result of this good mix of good academic pedagogy and spiritual mentoring, the school produces learners who are morally and intellectually upright.
“We offer a variety of subjects in areas of Humanities, Arts, Practicals, Commercials and Sciences. Our sciences have components of Biology, Chemistry and Physics in addition to Mathematics, Agriculture and Software Engineering. We have practical subjects like Fashion and Fabrics and Carpentry. We have a wide choice of subjects under 13 departments in the school. Our subject offer is well balanced to produce an all-round learner, in compliance with the dictates of Education 5.0.
“As a testimony that the learners we produce here appreciate the role and impact that the school has made to shape their careers and futures, the alumni has formed Mutambara High Old Students Association (MHOSA) — which has been assisting the school a lot in terms of infrastructure development and other key interventions.
Mutambara High learners in the school sciences laboratory
“They recently donated solar gadgets to improve the lighting at the school during the night. MHOSA also drilled a number of boreholes in the mission to improve availability and access to clean water. They have also availed sporting equipment, balls and uniforms to the school.
“Despite being formed a few years ago, the alumni have managed to influence what happens at the school in a positive and progressive manner. We get excited when former learners decide to come back and plough back to the development of the school, and mission at large.
“To ensure sustainability, we have our horticultural gardens and fields where we grow a variety of crops as well as a small fruit orchard. We are able to sustain ourselves in terms of our horticultural requirements — with our learners having and enjoying enough nutritious and balanced diet every day. The school also has its own confectionary bakery, which means we do not out source bread to feed our learners,” he said.
Mr Chawareerwa said the school has an enrolment of 650 learners, and a staff compliment of 43, three of which are employed by the School Development Committee to compliment Government’s efforts.
He said their teacher-learner ratio is standard.
The deputy head, Mr Moses Zviuya said discipline among learners has enabled them to post very good academic and sporting results.
The school has made significant strides since its inception and remains a shining example
Mr Zviuya added that the school has ventured into the manufacturing of detergents, a development that helps learners to acquire and acquaint themselves with real life entrepreneurial skills.
“Our school pass-rate from 2021 has been on the upward trajectory. Over the last three years, our Ordinary and Advanced Levels pass-rate has been 2021 (63 percent O-Level) (92 percent A-Level); 2022 (73 percent O-Level) (97 percent A-Level) and 2023 (77 percent O-Level) (100 percent A-Level). This improvement is a result of teachers who are dedicated to their work. We have challenges here and there in our Science Department where we sometimes experience shortage of teachers, but the SDC has always chipped in to assist with the employment of the required number of teachers.
“We have also excelled in extra-curricular activities such as sports, and very soon we will be introducing the so-called elite games to supplement traditional games so that every learner takes part in sport. In terms of sport we dominate in Chimanimani District, and regularly take part in national competitions.
“In terms of learner discipline we are doing very well due to the guidance and counselling from pastors stationed here. We regularly invite the police to address our learners on a number of topical issues such as drug abuse and substance abuse as well as general crime, and this has worked well. Children are in very safe hands here and parents must not think twice to enrol them here.
“As a school, we are producing detergents such as pine gel, dish wash, toilet dip as well as floor polish. Currently we are producing for our own use, but with the passage of time we intend to sell to neighbouring schools and communities. Learners are involved in this initiative, and this is key in teaching them survival skills and business acumen,” said Mr Zviuya.
School head girl, Panashe Mahari said as learners they are proud of their school achievements.
“Mutambara High School is a very good school, and I have been here for the past six years. I have wonderful memories of this institution. I would like to encourage and persuade learners to enrol at this school because we get the best education.
“ Our school is doing well, both in education and sporting activities. We are always travelling on educational tours and sporting tournaments. The church is always guiding us to be on the right path. At school there are usually different influences, but whenever we attend church services, pastors help us to overcome temptations,” she said.
Reverend Barnabas Gwatira, who is the Mutambara Mission chairperson said order, stability and a tranquil environment has enabled the school to perform well.
He said as the UMC they will continue to guide all stakeholders for the institution to continue excelling.
“As the church, we continue to encourage good ethics and hard work from both learners and teachers.
“The school has grown in strides because of this, and learners are well behaved. Mutambara Mission is of importance, not only in Chimanimani, but nationwide and we are working hard to maintain that status,” he said.
