Checheche High finding right path

Morris Mtisi

WITH the able leadership of headmaster, Mr Charles Manditsvanga and deputy head, John Chisharu, Checheche High School in Chipinge South promises to be a fountain of serious learning and hope for children who are yearning for a good education.

Operating under very difficult and stringent conditions, including financial constraints, the school is doing its best under the circumstances. And it is a model of perfect improvisation, innovativeness and self sustenance in Chipinge South.

In a two special days of consultancy in Ordinary level English Language last week, the English Department brought together their completing classes to receive special tips and guidelines on examination approach.

This consultancy exercise established the following important findings:

1. That there is tangible gain from such orientation programmes in the areas of needed motivational drive and review of skills needed to approach various examination papers.
2. That third term and especially a few weeks from final examinations could prove highly expedient but the best time is first or second terms to allow learners to put into meaningful practice the skills learnt or mastered.
3. That besides the need to master styles and approaches of response to questions, it is the quality of English Language (both semantics and syntax) that is often the sticking part or problem area.
4. That both teachers and pupils need to root out common errors in expression which are often a result of mother tongue interference, tautology (senseless or unnecessary repetition) and other reasons.
5. That often times expected levels of language are not reached owing to lack of adequate drilling or coaching in descriptive detail, use of imagery, figurative expressions, and lack of strong or appropriate diction. Students must be constantly discouraged from naïve reliance on clichés (overworked/ overused/ hackneyed/ tired words.)
6. That pupils display terrible lack or absence of wide reading and miserable poverty of appropriate vocabulary and writing skills or styles.
7. For example, that students (too many of the teachers too) do not know the difference between narrating and reporting. These are two completely different styles/approaches of communication, aren’t they? Explain to the students clearly using illustrations (models) how these two genres (types) of verbal communication differ.
8. That ‘outside’ consultants or resource persons often bring with them needed, critical or important emphasis on hidden areas of learning the language. And it is this emphasis that makes the difference between ordinary ‘telling-and talking’ and expertise/between the pedestrian teacher and expert.
9. That the learning environment and availability or lack of resources in the school (books good for reading for pleasure, newspapers, magazines etc) public speaking and debating clubs, determines the language levels of every given school. English Language can never all be learnt and acquired from the class teacher alone, please note.

I enjoyed the company of the subject teachers Mr Taiton Muzamana, Ms Mutsa K Chibvuri, Ms Namatirai Mundanga and Mr Hazviperi Musaandaka. Patriotism is not only in the loving of one’s country but also in developing its citizens, including youths who are the nation’s future in whatever way one deems his or her calling. Your calling is teaching, is it not?

And doing your best in this area involves research and sharing knowledge and wisdom with others. Checheche High School I salute you for responding to this need. You are on the right path! Well done!

Do not forget to review the areas of consultancy that were covered. Help each other as teachers and assist your students to work hard on developing their communication skills in both speech and writing. It is not stupid to form Public speaking and debating clubs, mooting Competitions, involving very junior students, say Form One and Two pupils. You can seek my professional assistance in these areas of language development for one penny or nothing at all, zeulch!

How are you Dakarayi Maposa, Dorcas Simbini, Ability Ngezimana and Talent ‘Luscious’ Sithole? I was inspired by your participation and you made my presentations worth my time and effort. Thank you very much. Don’t forget to form those Revision Study Groups (4 or 5 members) and please ‘bother’ your class teachers as much as possible. They are all ladies and gentlemen and ready to help if you approach them politely and sensibly.  Come on Checheche, go Checheche Gooo!