Ancilla Gotore

MIRROR REPORTER

GUTU-The Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) in Zimbabwe run, Rufaro High School has received gadgets to establish a smart classroom after scooping the coveted 2020 Secretary’s Merit Award.
The gadgets, 40 pupil tablets, a projector, electronic interactive board and a teacher’s laptop were handed over to school head Jameson Shumbanhete by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Permanent Secretary Tumisang Thabelo on Thursday.
Shumbanhete received a tablet and a certificate of excellence. Rufaro won the award for its academic, cultural and sporting excellence and meeting the principles of a resilient school during the COVID-19 era.
It was all pomp and fanfare as the scooped its first Secretary’s Merit Award since it was found in 1987.
The ceremony was attended by the church’s president, Bishop Amon Madawo, Masvingo Provincial Education Director (PED), Shylatte Mhike, Gutu District Development Coordinator (DDC), Chiedza Tafirei, Chief Serima, School Development Committee chairperson, Dr Goodwell Mabhodha, church’s Resident Overseer Enock Matambanadzo, AFM In Zimbabwe Education Director Dr Clever Gomba and church’s secretary general, Stewart Ganyau.
Thabela who unveiled a plaque at the school said the Ministry considered adaptability and innovative leadership that was shown by staff and students during the COVID-19 era.
“The focus has been on adaptive and innovative leadership that we accord school in the COVID-19 era. The Ministry’s thrust is now to ensure that all schools offer a holistic Competence Based Curriculum to become strong economic basket, which Rufaro High School has fruitfully done.
“This curriculum is meant to equip learners with twenty first century skills and profiles such as critical thinking, problem solving, communication and team building, leadership, technological advancement, enterprise, as well as Unhu/Ubuntu/Vumunhu, among others,” said Thabela.
Bishop Madawo said the award is a milestone for the school and church. He said they have 17 schools under the church.
“The lifetime achievement will go a long way in spurring the school to greater heights as we will not rest on our laurels, but continue striving for the best, particularly in the provision of quality education and relevant and learner centered curriculum.
“AFM in Zimbabwe is highly elated by the uplifting of our own school for the first time. As a Church we endeavor to have schools with high social standards through ethical environment and propagate God fearing, well-behaved citizens. To work is to pray and we are grateful for the award. Quality control really helped our school in reaching and attaining the award,” said Madawo.
The Secretary’s Merit Award is a quality control and supervisory tool that recognizes schools of excellence as models that others should learn from.