The ManicaPost
Lovemore Kadzura Rusape Correspondent
THE profile of St Joseph’s Primary School in Rusape is on a phenomenal rise as it strolls on the academic and co-curricular bastion podium which, for long, has been a preserve of well-resourced elite schools.
The Roman Catholic-run day school, which was hardly known and mentioned, has morphed into an all-conquering outfit, mowing down everything on its path to stardom.
The school, located on the shores of Lake Rusape, along the Rusape-Wedza Highway, wrote its own unique piece of history by retaining the CBZ Schools Debate National Award, last week.
St Joseph’s defied the odds against it and outclassed elite schools that participated in the competition, and walked away $6 000 richer.
In 2018, it won the first prize and received $17 000.
One of its students, in 2018, won the first prize in the schools feeding programme essay writing competition.
St Joseph’s assembled an intelligent and lethal five-member debate team that fought tooth and nail from the cluster to national finals to retain the coveted and prestigious trophy.
The team and its teachers did not let their supposedly inferior background deter them, but instead, used it as an inspiration to shine, prosper and exhibit their aptitude.
Such determination has buoyed and excited parents and stakeholders in Makoni.
School head Mr Vitus Nyaruwanga said their grand invasion onto the national radar will not vanish anytime soon, adding that the transformation of the school, though painful, was beginning to bear fruits of success.
“We weathered the storm. We have made a grand entry onto the national map. We are feeling great. Last year, we had two pupils representing the nation at COSSASA games in Namibia.
“One of our female pupils won the schools feeding programme essay writing competition national prize.
“Our debate team has done us proud; they have put us on the national map and also earned the school some good money. The secret to our success is commitment, dedication and teamwork. Our teachers also specialise in their best subjects and sporting areas. This has really worked for us. We have a deep well of well disciplined, sober and prayerful learners.
“Our average pass rate over the past five years has been 99 percent and our enrolment has shot up to 1899 as parents stampede to enrol their children with us,” said Mr Nyaruwanga.
