Parents urged to take their children's education seriously

FORMER Midlands Governor Dr Cephas Msipa yesterday challenged parents and teachers to prepare children for the world by educating them so that they will be able to go past a number of obstacles in life.

He also hailed President Mugabe for the contribution he has made to the country especially the education sector since 1980.

Dr Msipa was speaking at a prize giving ceremony held at Dadaya Secondary School in Zvishavane, where he is also the board chairman for the school.

"Our president donated 10 computers to the school and he has done so to a number of schools in this country. He has passion for education and he wants to see every child in Zimbabwe educated. Few head of states are like that in Africa and I am proud to tell you that in Africa, Zimbabwe is number one as far as the literacy level is concerned and we must thank our President for that," he said, amid cheers from the parents and students who attended the ceremony.

He also urged parents to instil Christian values in their children.

Msipa mourned the lack of sporting facilities at Dadaya and challenged parents and the teaching staff to prioritise sport.

"I am very worried. It really pains me as we are doing a disservice to the children. The richest people in the world are playing soccer and tennis and Dadaya is not giving students this opportunity. I love children and I love all the children in Zimbabwe so I urge everyone to do something for them as far as sport is concerned," said Dr Msipa.

Dadaya Secondary School used to have a hockey team and the students also played lawn tennis and baseball but the disciplines no longer exist because the facilities have deteriorated.

"Dadaya produces a cabinet minister every time and I am proud that in the current cabinet there is Simbarashe Mumbengegwi. I am, therefore, appealing to former students to come and donate something for the school. If it was not for the Head of State who donated 10 computers the school was probably not be having computers up to this time," added Dr Msipa.

Dadaya has 10 computers that cater for 800 students at the school
"Education is shared between the parents, students, teachers and the Government and everyone should play his/her role as to have unity and diversity in the country," said the well respected nationalist.

He also challenged students in Zimbabwe to take up responsibilities so as to compete against others and more importantly, look after themselves and family after leaving the educational institutions.

Dadaya registered a 98 percent pass rate at A-Level last year from 88,3 percent with O-Level registering a 62,1 percent pass rate from 50 percent and this was attributed to the headmaster, Mr Misheck Mangono, who was recommended to take charge of the school in 1997 after discipline had gone down to the lowest level.

There was, however, sadness when Mr Mangono announced he would be retiring from the school after a half a century association with the school.

Mr Mangono learnt at Dadaya before becoming a teacher and later a headmaster at the same school founded by Sir Garfield Todd.
As if it was not enough, Dr Msipa also announced that he would retire from the post of chairperson of the board after being at the helm for the past 20 years. He took the opportunity to highlight his happiest moment when Dadaya won the National Quiz competition.

Yesterday Tatenda Gwaambuka was the toast of the day when he received a prize from the former governor after passing the three A-Level subjects he wrote getting a total of 15 points.

Dadaya made history last year when Perseverance Chikide registered 20 points at A-Level.