Chinyika High School

Chinyika High School Scoops Prestigious Award

Chinyika High School in Goromonzi scooped the prestigious accolade of the Secretary's Merit Award from the Primary and Secondary Education Permanent Secretary Mrs. Dr. Tumisang Thabela which includes 40 pupil tablets, a projector, an electronic interactive board, a teacher's laptop and a plaque in lieu of the Secretary's Merit Award.

The Award was given to the school for making significant efforts in improving the learning outcomes of pupils and the general functionalities at the school. .

"I am greatly honoured to have this opportunity to officiate at this very important occasion where we are belatedly presenting to Chinyika High School this highest accolade of achievement, the Secretary's Merit Award. Its is through your relentlessness effort, resiliency, diligence and commitment to hard work even during COVID -19 that we all stand today celebrating with you on the fulfillment of your vision.

"The school was inordinately able to broadly meet most strategic areas expected by the Ministry despite challenges of COVID-19. The Secretary's Merit Award is henceforth being conferred to Chinyika High in recognition of the institution of the as entity of excellence and model that the rest of the schools in the country can emulate." said Mrs Thabela.

Former head Mr. Evermore Tamuka
Chakwizira was given a tablet and a certificate of excellence.

"As we congratulate the Chinyika High School for being a household in the Province and the nation at large, we would like to give special recognition to the former head of the school, Mr. Chakwizira and the School Development Committee for winning the 2020 Secretary's Merit Award and thank the current Head, Mr. Foster Ruwiza for maintaining the standards." adde Mrs. Thabela.

School Head Mr. Foster Ruwiza said the new focus is to build a state of the art 100 - bed boarding facility for Form 1 girls particularly for 2024. He also said the school is focused on the achievement of academic excellence and the cultivation of moral and spiritual values. Credit: Salvationist online

Mr Evermore Chakwizira is the Headmaster of Chinyika High School, Goromonzi, who has transformed his local community. He began working in Chinyika village in February 2018 and found that the local community was extremely poor. The school had a critical shortage of resources including teaching and learning materials. In addition, those parents who could afford the fees resisted paying, as previous administrations were not transparent in the handling and use of money.

Mr Chakwizira has built effective relationships with community members and leaders, and transformed the school into a modern educational center. Mr Chakwizira established several projects that supplement the school’s income. These have been used to build a modern sciences laboratory, which has enabled the school to be accorded ‘A’ level status by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. The pioneer group of 37 students wrote their A-level exams during the pandemic in 2021 under severe constraints, including a national lockdown. Among the results, 26 of the 37 students achieved 5 points and above in two or more subjects, meaning that the school achieved a 71.3% pass rate for the 2021 A-level exams. These students will proceed to University.

The funding created by Mr Chakwizira has also provided a well-stocked and modern library; new classroom blocks which have eliminated hot-sitting at the school; a new borehole that provides newly built toilets with running tap water. The projects also benefit teachers and provide scholarships for orphans in the community. The school has adopted 16 very poor children who would otherwise have been working at a local irrigation scheme, providing fees and material support including uniforms. Most of the children are HIV positive.

The school has also provided support to the local police and clinic by donating facemasks to police officers at Goromonzi Police Station and for nurses at Chinyika Clinic.

Credit: Integrity Icon Zimbabwe