The ManicaPost
Morris Mtisi Post Correspondent
It all started with a telephone call from Willander Masiyandima, a teacher at Hartzel Primary School.
The next was a visit to The Manica Post and DiamondFM Radio where the new-curriculum lover and 21st century teacher convinced this columnist to join them on a trip to Mazvikadei via ZBC Pockets in Harare.
The trip with school children and teachers, will last for three days.
Why not? I had to sacrifice my time and busy schedule and on March 2, 2018, I accompanied the school to Mazvikadei retreat, in Banket.
The contingent comprised of 66 children and seven teachers: Mrs Dhliwayo (Deputy head) Mr Blessing Patika, Mr Brian Machowa, Ms Sarah Sithole, Miss Nyabadza, Mr Mudawapi and Mrs Mugayi and Mr Chiripakati, the bus driver.
The trip illustrated beyond reasonable doubt the critical importance of well organised and planned school trips. Students develop leadership skills, socialisation skills and get to relate to their teachers and everybody else better. In so doing, their Ubunthu/Unhu develops and improves. They learn to eat together, help each other and develop to be each other’s keeper. This outdoor exposure teaches them to appreciate various life skills which include integrity, honesty, communion, love and compassion for each other.
The students were taught composition writing skills as part of the evening activities. The children were in a completely different learning environment and found these evening lessons fascinating, a lot of fun and important.
They were also subjected to poetry-writing teaching. The children loved it too. The poetry writing facilitation was done by Brenda Matienga.
We made friends and shared hopes, wishes and aspirations. I fondly remember young Rodney Dozva who has a strong passion to become a veterinarian.
His stories about his eleven cattle in his rural home were pleasantly surprising. It got me thinking ‘‘we still have home-and-country-loving children today. Children who are straight and sober-minded, aspiring to grow up on a farm to do serious farm business . . .children who love animals and believe in environmental management and preservation!’’
Wonderful and different young boy Rodney! Outspoken, respectful, intelligent, thoughtful, sociable and sane-minded boy!
Tanatswa Katsaruware, rather on the quiet side, a face hiding awesome intelligence, bravely said in my face, “I will become a pilot.” The confidence left me with no doubt this young boy will certainly become a pilot! Amazing children around the table during meals and obviously every one of them in their different ways!
The bus driver, Mr Chiripakati was a figure of wisdom and sort of godfather on the bus; very composed behind the wheel, safe speed and very particular about the safety and discipline of all the children. He must be an asset in every sense for the school.
The presence of the deputy-head Maud Dhliwayo gave the trip the administrative clout it deserved, the honour and integrity of office.
All the parents who sponsored their children to be on the school trip to Mazvikadei also deserve a thumbs-up. They have no idea how much their children gain on such trips.
Hands-up to the teachers who accompanied the children…all of them without exception! No one knows and understands the demands of the new curriculum than you. Above all, how many other teachers know and understand that children learn much more and more freely outside the four walls of their classrooms or indeed the security-walls and or fence.
