The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
HAVING university education structures specialising in small grains study and research at Gomorefu Mission Station in Marange might seem far-fetched given the few buildings that are there which are not even enough for the current Form One to Six high school classes but this is exactly the plan and vision that United Methodist Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa has for the institution.
Located in the dry area of Marange district, Gomorefu High School opened its doors to the public back in 1982 as a secondary school owned and run by the Mutare Rural District Council.
Back then, most of the structures were erected by the local authority and the greater community who contributed by giving materials such as bricks, sand and quarry stone.
The School Development Committee then elected for the school to be a United Methodist institution in 2004, which was finalised in 2008.
When the institution was finally handed over in the said year, a number of items were needed and are still needed to have a great leap forward so as to ensure that the institution is in grips with modern trends in education and also that it matches some of the well established UMC institutions.
Hence in an interview with Bishop Nhiwatiwa during the commissioning of the school as a United Methodist Institution last Friday, he said he is looking forward to establishing a satellite centre for Africa University at Gomorefu.
“Our vision is to have a satellite centre for Africa University here at Gomorefu.
In development you have to think ahead and think big.
We first have to develop this school into a boarding school and later have a university satellite station here.
This is a dry area and we can have small grains study and research at done here Gomorefu Mission Station,” said Bishop Nhiwatiwa.
However, it also has its achievements that were witnessed over the years since its establishment.
Around 2005 and 2006, the school assumed the high school status following the establishment of Advanced Level classes at the institution.
The Gomerefu High deputy headmaster Mr Rekai Dziike said the school has been on a development path since its establishment.
“In the year 2011 it was only the administration block which had electricity.
We are happy that our computer laboratory and the library have been electrified.
We have also electrified the 2N class and fabrics class together with TG and Form One block,” he said.
With a staff compliment of 29 permanent teachers, six on training, two night watchmen, a secretary, a bursar and a grounds man, the school has developed from offering only one class from Form One to Four to the current three classes for each form – east, south and north.
Part of its mission states that: “Gomorefu mission centre is committed to making disciples of Jesus for the transformation of the world through nurturing outreaching witnessing and networking ministries as we carry out this mission of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ who is our role model, as we go out to transform lives.”
Just as it has done well academically epitomised by a 89.8 A Level pass rate for 2016 that left it in the top 100 schools, the school has also done considerably well in terms of its participation in different sports competitions.
In 2015, the school became the UMSSA women and men soccer champions and also became the district champions in men soccer last year.
Gomorefu High has not been left behind in agricultural activities as they have 14 beasts and 20 goats received from parents who would have failed to raise school fees.
They have also been actively involved in maize production.
“We are happy and giving praises for the rains.
We have always been into maize production although at times we fail to harvest anything owing to harsh climatic conditions but we are hopeful if the rains continue as the current trend, we will have a good harvest,” said Mr Dziike.
The School Development chairman Mr Jealous Nyakunu said the school still has a number of projects that needs to be completed that include the roofing of the laboratory as well as construction of other classroom blocks and houses for staff. According to Mr Nyakunu, water reticulation project remains one of their main aims that they desperately need to accomplish in the near future.
