CCC slams school renaming push

Citizens Coalition for Change treasurer Mbuso Siso has criticised government plans to rename schools under the heritage-based education programme, arguing that authorities should instead prioritise improving Zimbabwe's struggling education system.

The proposed renaming exercise has sparked debate across the country, with critics saying government should focus on improving school infrastructure and raising pass rates at institutions still recording poor academic performance.

However, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has clarified that no official school name changes have yet been approved.

According to the ministry, the circulating list of proposed names forms part of an internal consultative process seeking input from school authorities, parents, alumni and local communities.

Government says the initiative is linked to its broader Heritage-Based Learning policy, which seeks to align educational institutions with indigenous history, local values and national icons.

While some communities have welcomed the proposal as part of efforts to decolonise public institutions, others argue that resources should instead be directed towards constructing new schools and upgrading existing facilities.

Speaking to Southern Eye, Siso said Zimbabwe, particularly regions such as Matabeleland, was facing a serious shortage of schools.

"The government should focus on building more schools to fight low pass rates and improve our education system," he said.

Siso added that overcrowding in existing schools reflected broader developmental challenges.

"We appeal to the government to desist from school renaming and focus on pertinent issues that improve the education system of this country," he said.

"Let us focus on nation building, electoral reforms, peace and unity which are the key issues towards building a better Zimbabwe."

Meanwhile, Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association chairperson Steven Nkomo warned that renaming schools without proper consultation could create tensions within communities.

"We have no challenges with schools from the low-density suburbs as most of them bear the names of our national heroes," he said.

"The challenge could be in those schools from the eastern suburbs, we must also consider the issue of diversity — we are a diverse nation."

Nkomo noted that some English names used by schools in Bulawayo's eastern suburbs carried historical significance and continued to attract goodwill from international donors.

"This affects us as an association especially when looking for donations from donors [as] they tell us that we do not recognise them," he said.

"Maintaining some of the names gives them confidence that we also recognise the roles they continue to play in the development of the community."

Some residents have also expressed concern that arbitrary name changes could ultimately take on political connotations if not handled transparently and inclusively.