The ManicaPost
Morris Mtisi Post Correspondent
FROM humble beginnings to top-shelf glory; from zero to hero; from a dwarf to a giant; from struggle to struggle and then struggle, to ultimate victory! That is the story of Cross Kopje Junior School.
From the Victory Tabernacle in the CBD of Mutare, everybody saw this school grow from strength to strength. Everybody saw how the never-say-die school moved to the industrial sites away from the higgledy-piggledy and hustle and bustle of the city to a quiet secluded environment safe for learners and conducive for serious teaching and learning. The story of Cross Kopje is one narrative of commitment to excellence and gradual but sure building of a legacy written in indelible ink.
Cross Kopje Junior School is now a fully registered private school with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MOPSE) with effect from January 1, 2017. As if that was not enough, the school is now also proudly registered as an examination centre with the Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (ZIMSEC). These developments make Cross Kopje make sure their learners have access to appropriate education, training and self-development.
The school boasts 15 qualified teachers and five ancillary staff members. With a total enrolment of 187 from ECD to Grade 7, all enjoying a teacher-learner ration of 1:15, this means every teacher can give specialised individual help to every child. Teacher motivation is high and the story of one hundred percent pass rate since the schools inception in 2012 is certainly no exaggeration or surprise at all.
Speaking at the school’s 2017 Speech and Prize Giving Day at the Mutare Hall (former Queen’s Hall), the school head, Mr Leonard Mutete, thanked parents and other stakeholders for building the Cross Kopje brand and legacy together with the school. “We thank all our service providers for supporting Cross Kopje Junior School especially City of Mutare for offering us Stand No. 11400 in Greenside South Extension to build our school,” said Mr Mutete. “Our challenge is now access to the area but we do hope soon the city engineers will construct an elevated bridge and a wide road to improve accessibility,” he said.
He also thankfully acknowledged the rapport between teachers and parents.”
“Sound parent-teacher co-ordination is vital in the enhancement of a smart partnership between the school and parents. It enhances results-based management in the whole school and makes the school child-friendly, teacher- friendly and parent-friendly.”
The school head revealed that Cross Kopje had established a library which is a centre of research for learners and thanked all the parents and friends who donated books.
“The library has enabled us to instill and reinforce in our learners both a reading culture and a research culture,” Mr Mutete said. “We take discipline and order in the school seriously and sporting activities and educational trips occupy a passionate part of the Cross-Kopje heartbeat.”
Speaking on the same occasion, guest speaker Mr Edward Shumba, also Provincial Education Director, emphasised smart partnership between parents or guardians and the school. “Any smart partnership between stakeholders goes a long way in making sure that learners have access to appropriate education training and development. This goes for any school in our country Zimbabwe,” he said.
The PED also highlighted 27 roles parents or guardians can and must play to ensure that learners receive the best education. Amongst them were, simply encouraging their children to attend school and lessons regularly, encouraging children to do their homework, encouraging through close monitoring to work hard both at school and at home, cultivating their children’s reading habits by encouraging them to read newspapers, magazines, books, etc, paying school fees and levies on time or as per school fees payment plans, advocating good governance at school, attending school functions, spearheading development in the school and positively marketing the school, amongst others.
Mr Shumba concluded his speech by congratulating Cross Kopje for being a registered school which he said he facilitated. He adjudged the school as a child-friendly, teacher-friendly and parent-friendly school. Mrs Maganyo, the Cross Kopje SDC chairperson, did not play second fiddle. In her speech to mark the 2017 Speech and Prize Giving, she emphasised the role education must play to inculcate Ubunthu (Morality) in children. “Their future starts now, so they need a good foundation. They have the right to education, to love and care,” she said.
“We have a big role to play in upbringing our children. In Shona we say, “Upenzi hwechembere hwakatangira kumamhuza) literally meaning the foolishness of an old woman started from childhood games.”
Mrs Maganyo warned parents about uncontrolled television watching and the danger of social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp. “Technology is good, but can be very damaging on the Ubunthu/Unhu of our children if not monitored. Check on your child’s friends and don’t leave them to internet and television which she called ‘that stupid box’.”
“Do not expect the teachers to love your child more than you love him or her. But remember they love their teachers more than us, so if you always talk bad about their teachers, you make them lose confidence in them and the opposite is true.”
She ended by appreciating the hard work done by the teachers.
“Keep up the good work and continue to work as if you are working for God,” she said.
The following veteran teachers are the founders of Cross Kopje Junior School: Mrs Sandra Mutowo, the late Mrs Peggy Papaya, Mrs Verna Chirima, Mrs Rose Gezana and Mrs Margaret Mashayamombe. These beautiful young old ladies are role models in education. Their calling is education. The lesson learnt is “There is no retirement in community development”. The Manica Post wants to wish the living founders of this wonderful school and Cross Kopje itself a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May the prospects of 2018 give the school more hope, more children and more success.
