The Sunday Mail
Elvas Mari SDC Chairman, Mazowe High
On Saturday, October 8, Mazowe High School had a speech and prize-giving day, of which the Vice Chancellor of the University of Zimbabwe, Professor Levi Nyagura, was the guest of honour. In the speech below, the chairman of the School Development Committee, Mr Elvas Mari, highlights some of the developments that have happened at the school in the past year. Read on . . .
Welcome to Mazowe High School Speech and Prize giving day. It is my priviledge and singular honour to address this important gathering of parents and students of Mazowe High School. My tenure as the chairman has been marked by many developments that I believe have enhanced the image of the school, and which make the future look promising.
I sincerely believe that the 2016-2020 Strategic Plan will act as the roadmap for all future developments, meaning even beyond my tenure as the SDC chairman, I see this school progressing confidently into the future based on that plan. Towards the end of January, we witnessed the official opening and commissioning of a semi-detached staff house, the brand new Yutong coach and the brand new 4×4 Ford Ranger.
The staff house went a long way in easing the teaching staff accommodation crisis, and the Yutong bus has improved the school’s image. Our appreciation goes to the State Lotteries and Gaming Board for their support in the construction of the semi-detached house.
I also want to appreciate the parents of Mazowe high, without whose financial support the Yutong coach could not have been purchased. Not forgetting the Government of Zimbabwe for their support in the purchase of the coach/bus at a reasonable cost. I will hasten to say that we have completed the payment of the bus, and the loan repayments to ZB bank which was our financial partner in this project.
I would like to also extend my gratitude to the SDC members, and the parents’ body, for making it possible to purchase the Ford Ranger truck for the Headmaster. We are grateful for this achievement, and we would like to assure you that the school has managed to pay the full sum for the vehicle.
In our annual general meeting held in May this year, we agreed on the need to construct an A-Level Study Centre, which is a stand-alone structure to cater for all A-level students. While the school has managed to produce excellent A-Level results, year-in and year-out without adequate infrastructure to cater for all the needs of the A-level students, we think the A-Level Study Centre will make life easier for our boys as well as the teachers.
It is, indeed, our expectation that all parents are paid up on the bus levy, and that having been given ample time to complete payments for the bus levy, we are ready to embark on the next project. It is my sincere plea to you all, that come January 2017, as agreed in the AGM we will commence paying a yet-to-be-determined levy for this A-Level Study Centre.
It is imperative that we address the need for an A-Level Study Centre, since it goes a long way in introducing students to infrastructure specifically designed to cater for A-Level requirements, and the new curriculum which starts in January 2017. In addition, the A-Level Study Centre will enable the school to move A-Level students from the school library. It is, therefore, imperative that we embark on this project.
Parents and friends of Mazowe, in our planning for the school, we were, and we are still, of the opinion that the school’s computer laboratories must act as a strategic business unit for the school so as to subsidise the costs incurred by the department. It is our conviction that the computer department is one that is capital-intensive, and thus needs to self-sustain going forward.
We are happy to announce to you that the school has, since the beginning of this term, started to offer ICDL courses to both the teaching and non-teaching staff. It is our hope that this approach serves two major functions: The process improves the teachers’ ICT skills and thus prepares them adequately to meet the challenges of the new curriculum, and The computer department generates an income that enables it to be self-sustaining, and thus meet the expenses of its day-to-day running without resorting to a computer levy as part of the school fees.
We hope in the near future that the ICDL courses offered at this school shall attract more clients from the surrounding community, or from places as far as Harare. During the second term 2016, well before the onset of the winter season, we are happy to announce that we managed to install solar water geysers in all the hostels. This is a clear demonstration that the SDC is fully committed to improving the welfare of the students of Mazowe High.
But I will hasten to say that all these small projects can only be done if we, as parents of Mazowe High meet our obligations.
In April this year, I had the opportunity to attend the Salvation Army Education Conference hosted by the school, which was graced by the Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Honourable Dr Mavhima. I think by now most of you parents have heard about the curriculum changes that are set to be introduced gradually into our education system, starting January 2017.
The curriculum changes envisaged need to be embraced, and in line with that, the school needs to invest in ICT training for teachers, and ICT technologies to enhance teaching and learning activities at this school. In that regard, I wish to thank the parents who have embraced this positive development by giving their sons laptops to bring to school so that they could be used in the AutoCad course that is on offer at the school, courtesy of the AutoDesk company.
I believe the parents who attended the AGM were impressed by the computer skills demonstrated by the two students who made an electronic presentation on the proposed new A-level Study Centre. As we embark on this developmental trajectory, guided by the new curriculum and the Strategic Plan Document, let us all join hands to pull in the same direction as a key stakeholder in the school.
As one man once said, let us ask not what Mazowe can do for us, but let us ask what we can do for Mazowe so that it can continue to deliver on its promises which attracted us to it in the first place. As parents of this school, let us partner this school and aim to leave it a better place than it was when we arrived. A better Mazowe is always possible with our continued support.
On your behalf, and on behalf of all the students, allow me to express my appreciation for the efforts of the Mazowe Old Boys Association. This year, as some of you who came for the annual AGM might be aware, the association purchased desks and chairs for three classes, an investment that we really are happy to see coming from former students of the school.
We, as parents, may not have such an attachment to the place, but our sons will always feel they owe it to the school that they are who they are today because of this place. Today some of them are here, and I am made to understand they contributed significantly towards the purchase of the prizes for this Speech and Prize Giving Day. We say, “Your efforts are acknowledged, and we will always be grateful for your support”.
May I take this opportunity to thank our guest of honour, Professor Nyagura, for accepting to come and not only witness the work we are doing at Mazowe, but inspire our boys to excel. You will be pleased that our boys aspire to enrol at the University of Zimbabwe and we think you coming will spur them all to achieve their dreams.
To the students, I say balance your priorities and responsibilities. Learn to be responsible citizens, and above all, it is only through good discipline and focused study that you can achieve your goals. Let us all take Mazowe High to greater heights. It is possible in our time.
As the school motto says, let us forge ahead so that these students can be “minds ahead of their times”. May God bless Mazowe High School.
I thank you.
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