Wanezi High strives for excellence

WELL known for its prowess in Science and technology, Wanezi High School in Insiza District, Matabeleland South has distinguished itself as the school of preference for pupils hoping to pursue sciences.

With well-equipped laboratories and a semi-finished block expected to be completed by early next year, the school has positioned itself to be a science hub and leader in the Stem Curriculum.

Wanezi High School puts emphasis on sciences and encourages its pupils to pursue them.

Parents who will be flocking to the school's prize giving day today will be greeted by a spectacle of a six-classroom block which houses the state-of-the-art science labs.

Wanezi High School, which was established in 1971, offers all the science subjects in the education curriculum.

Although the school is a powerhouse in Science, it also produces top notch pupils in other subjects offered in Zimbabwe's education curriculum.

The Brethren in Christ Church (BICC) run institution's results from the past five years have been on an upward trajectory for both O and A-Level with only one dip in 2014.

The school head, Ms Dorcas Kumalo, said she was happy the results were improving and have not dropped.

She attributed the ever improving results to hard work and commitment from both teachers and learners, who put maximum effort in their work.

"As a school we are all about excellence because our motto is 'striving for excellence.' We want to be the most preferred school in Zimbabwe. Our public examination trends show that we have been improving in the last five years," said Ms Kumalo.

"At O-Level, from 2012 to 2016 our pass rates were 59.8, 57.7, 65.3, 75.2 and 78.4 percent. At A-Level, we recorded 92, 90, 86.8,92 and 100 percent. These results are way above the national average and we will not stop until we achieve a consistently impressive pass rate," she said.

Ms Kumalo said Wanezi High School also offers practical subjects that are in the new curriculum, like textiles technology and design, cookery and building.

The school, which has an enrolment of 770 pupils, also promotes the adoption of ICTs by learners.

A-Level pupils are allowed to bring laptops and tablets to help them in research and the school will by next year acquire more projectors for teachers to improve e-teaching and learning.

The secret behind the good results, according to Ms Kumalo, is that at the beginning of every term the teachers and pupils are given goals that they pledge to achieve.

"When students come in we set targets. This year at O-Level we set a target for an 81 percent pass rate and 100 percent for A-Level. We announce the targets and review them at the end of every term."

The school is a big competitor in the province when it comes to non-academic activities.

Most of Wanezi High pupils do well in sports and debate up to provincial level.

"We won the orate quiz at provincial level and we went to Mutare so we are good at that. Our pupils went as far as the national competitions in chess.

"In music we were number three in the province," said Ms Kumalo

The BICC learning institution has made significant infrastructural developments which help in improving the quality of education and living standards of the students.

The school head said despite facing economic challenges, the school does not fold its hands but finds ways to ensure continued growth of the school.

"As a school we make sure that we cater for the students. We have built the biggest hostel in Matabeleland, which has 199 beds.

"We bought a bus, the latest model and this year we are building a six-classroom block which has labs that will promote Stem," she said.

Ms Kumalo said Wanezi High School was one of the best in Insiza district and is working towards being the most preferred school in the country as it offers an educational atmosphere that stood out among the rest.

She said the institution will continue with providing pupils with quality education and a conducive learning atmosphere within a Christian environment.