Partner School scoops award for academic excellence

 Chimhanda Primary School in Rushinga District, which is one of Save the Children’s partner schools in the education program’s I’m Learning project, has received the Ministry of primary and Secondary Education Secretary's Merit Award. The Award is given by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education  annually to one primary and one secondary school  in each province, which would have performed exceptionally well in academic work. Chimhanda Primary School received a belated award after coming first out of 694 schools in the Mashonaland Central province in the year 2014. 

Gracing the ceremony to present the Secretary’s Merit Award to Chimhanda Primary School, was the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Dr Sylvia J. Utete-Masango. Senior government officials, representatives from local authorities, school heads from in and outside the district, parents, school children, NGO representatives and Save the Children were present to witness the occasion.

“All school heads around the country must be determined to work hard and develop their schools no matter where they are located. School heads must not stop dreaming big for their schools,” said Dr Utete-Masango.

The permanent Secretary commended the primary school for its pass rate which also rose from below 30% in 2014 to 67% in 2015 and also applauded the school head for being innovative and having a wide curriculum. She added that the thrust of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is to develop the whole person and this is exactly what Chimhanda Primary School is implementing.

 “Chimhanda Primary School deserves this award because they have a wide curriculum which encompasses home economics, culture centre, sports, guidance and counselling, computers and physical education” says Dr Utete-Masango.

Developing a school needs the school head, the staff, community and school children to be innovative, motivated and focused on taking up change in the school said one senior government official at the ceremony. 

In his acceptance speech, Chimhanda Primary School headmaster  Mr Nyamukuvhengu, recognised Save the Children for its important contribution to the school. He said he was grateful for the technical and financial assistance that the school received from Save the Children as it helped them in developing a number of areas in the school, through the I’m Learning project which focuses on the four guiding principles of the Quality Learning Environment.

Save the Children started working with Chimhanda Primary School in 2013 among the 6 pilot schools for the I’m Learning project. It assisted the school in constructing teacher’s houses, classrooms, rumps for pupils with disability, teaching and learning materials, pathways and fencing of the school.  The organisation also strengthened the school governance which saw the formation of a Children’s School Development Committee and child led groups which have since started their own projects like poultry.