Marist Brothers tops Old Mutual Zimbabwe High Schools Quiz

Marist Brothers High School from Matabeleland North are this year's Old Mutual High School Quiz winners after the coming out tops at the contest which was held in Harare at the weekend.


Marist Brothers came out on top with 48 points while Zengeza High 1 from Chitungwiza were the first runners up with 36 points followed by Goromonzi and Pamushana from Mashonaland East and Masvingo with 33 and 30 points respectively.

The finals, held over two days, were a climax to a tournament that began in all 10 provinces of the country from September. Organisers said 220 schools participated in this year's contest, up from 126 previously, showing the growing popularity of the longest-running quiz competition for schools in the country.

The 10 provincial winners then clashed at the weekend finals under the theme: Unleashing knowledge, and shaping future leaders.

Old Mutual Zimbabwe, which has sponsored the school quiz since inception, said the competition embodies the responsible business mandate of the country's largest financial services group, feeding off its education pillar. 

It creates a knowledge-sharing platform that provides young minds with an opportunity to showcase their talents and achievements.

"At Old Mutual, we firmly believe in the power of education. It is not merely about acquiring facts and figures, but about igniting the fire of creativity and innovation within you," said Old Mutual Zimbabwe Group Chief Operations Officer, Isiah Mashinya.

"That is why we have taken the initiative to blend the knowledge you acquire in school with financial literacy and entrepreneurship. We want to equip you with the skills and mindset to navigate the ever-changing world and turn your dreams into reality.

Mashinya added: "Education is not confined to the walls of a classroom. It is a lifelong journey of self-discovery and personal growth. The High School Quiz is not just a competition, it is an opportunity to showcase your brilliance, to learn from one another, and to inspire those around you.

Speaking at the event, Primary and Secondary education deputy minister Angeline Gata applauded Old Mutual for creating a great learning space for scholars as it aids in the new curriculum. 

"The main focus of the new curriculum is to nature learners who are versatile and multi-dimensional in the things they are able to do after leaving school. In line with the new curriculum, extra activities like quiz play a major role in sharpening greater minds who are tomorrow's leaders," she said.

"The role played by intellectual sports such as quiz, in this case a Pan African one, does not only aid to the quest for a curriculum that unlocks value in the learning process but also in the preservation of our heritage, achievements, history and geography of Africa." 

She added: "It is in this regard that I commend non-state actors like Old Mutual and Book of African Records who team up with my ministry to bring vibrancy to the education process by deploying vast resources without the motivation of profit. They have done this for the last 37 years. I recommend the corporate sector to take a leaf from this plausible model of being a responsible member of the community