The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure Senior Reporter
MINISTER of Primary and Secondary Education, Dr Lazurus Dokora, vented his anger at Nyazura Adventist High School for willfully not reciting the national pledge at its Speech and Prize Giving Day last Sunday.
Cde Tabetha Kanengoni-Malinga, Minister of State in Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko’s Office represented Cde Mphoko, who is also a member of the SDA.
Dr Dokora, who had been asked by another dignitary from the church — the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Planning and Investment Promotion, Dr Desire Sibanda — to introduce the guest, took the opportunity to blast the school for concentrating on pathfinder activities at the expense of the national schools pledge.
Some church, trust and private schools around the country have vowed not to teach pupils to recite the pledge which they argue is unconstitutional, while Government and council schools have embraced the pledge and pupils are reciting it. The ministry is on record saying it will investigate cases of schools resisting a directive to teach pupils to recite the national pledge.
“There is one thing that has disappointed me. It is the fact that while you have exhibited immaculate pathfinder displays, you have not recited the national pledge. It a serious act of misconduct, and if it was not of the guest (Cde Mphoko), surely I would have charged you, and you know what that would mean,” said Dr Dokora.
Acting President Cde Phelekezela Mphoko challenged schools to take advantages of lines of credit being offered by banks to expedite the construction of key infrastructure and purchase key assets that are critical in the discharge of their mandate.
He said schools should not hesitate to borrow from banks to provide the best for their students, as those that have have meet with success unexpectedly.
“The success of this magnitude that Nyazura displays is a reflection of the benefits of e-learning and teaching facilities at the exposure of the teachers and students. As Government, we have transformed the education system so that it paves way for the new curriculum which aims at creating a holistic citizen and effective schools should take advantages of bank loans in the acquisition of assets and development of infrastructure,” said Cde Mphoko.
Cde Mphoko said schools should invest in innovations and contributions that enhance the development of mankind.
“Your mission should aim at developing the hand, head and heart, thus unleashing an army of self-reliant and innovative women and men of integrity into our wonderful country Zimbabwe. Teachers should aim at self-actualisation through continuous study. Strive to go up the rugs of academic achievement and embrace technology, for gone are the days of breaking chalk and sneezing severely from the dust. Take advantage of any (technological) means available to be of service,” said Cde Mphoko.
Dr Dokora also applauded the school for its preparedness for first phase in the new curriculum.
“The purpose of the new curriculum is to help students discover latent potential in themselves through competency based curriculum. Our aim as Government is to produce a student who is able to apply practical skills to knowledge. Ultimately such a student will be adequately prepared for both life and work. This being the goal of STEAM/ STEM initiative has become one of the obvious and workable ways of achieving this and does not undermine the humanities and other subjects,” said Dr Dokora.
The overall best student awards went to Synclair Mugariri and Kudzai Mukuwe, while Aldridge Chimuza scooped the best sporting awards.
Nyazura Mission started in 1910, with the establishment of the secondary school coming in 1967. Nyazura headmaster, Mr Onias Tenderere, said the school for the past five years has been attaining pass rates above 83.22 and 94.24 percent for ‘O’ Level and 93.22 and 100 percent for ‘A’ Level.
