By Tapiwa Chawagarira
CHIREDZI – School heads in Masvingo Province have been challenged to move beyond “business as usual” and focus on service delivery, accountability, and measurable impact as the education sector enters the 2026 academic year.
Addressing heads of schools, District Schools Inspectors, Provincial Education Directors, and education officials at Chiredzi Government High School, the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Torerai Moyo, commended the education sector for its resilience and professionalism in 2025, describing the year as one of significant progress despite persistent challenges.
“As a Ministry working as one family, we can confidently say that learning continued, schools remained functional, and the quality of education was safeguarded,” said Minister Moyo.
“Your leadership ensured that our learners were not abandoned despite the challenges we faced.”
He described school heads as the cornerstone of the education system and the critical link between national policy and classroom delivery, noting that the success of any reform depends on how it is implemented at the school level.
Minister Moyo highlighted key milestones achieved in 2025, including the strengthening of the heritage-based curriculum, expansion of STEM education through the draft National STEM Education Strategy, improved teacher deployment, expansion of school infrastructure, enhanced monitoring using the e-inspection model, and sustained engagement with development partners.
“As we enter 2026, we are no longer in an era of business as usual. We are now firmly in a phase of delivery, accountability and impact,” he said.
Masvingo Provincial Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ezra Ruvai Chadzamira, reinforced government policy that no learner should be sent home for failure to pay fees.
“It is now clear government policy that no child should be sent home because of non-payment of fees,” said Minister Chadzamira. “Education is a right, and as leaders we must protect that right while working with parents and communities.”
He emphasised that infrastructure development remains a key pillar under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), adding that effective supervision and alignment at the school level will be crucial.
Minister Chadzamira also urged school heads to prepare learners for active participation in heritage-based activities ahead of the World Tourism Expo to be hosted in Masvingo Province.
Minister Moyo acknowledged a slight decline in the Grade Seven pass rate, noting that Masvingo Province currently falls below the national average of 48 percent, while Manicaland leads with 60 percent.
“Education remains a fundamental right for every child of Zimbabwe,” he said. “We must ensure that no learner is excluded from learning, regardless of their circumstances.”
Meanwhile, Minister Moyo announced that the 2025 Advanced Level results are the best recorded in Zimbabwe. He highlighted outstanding performances by schools in Masvingo Province, led by Pamushana High School, which topped the province with 59 students attaining 15 points and above, with the highest candidate scoring an exceptional 56 points. Silveira High School followed with 48 students, while Hippo Valley High School and Ndarama High School each produced 26 students with 15 points and above.
Other notable performers included Mutendi High School and St Anthony’s High School with 23 students each, Chibi High School with 21, Mukaro High School with 20, Lundi High School with 16, and Maungwa High School with 13 students attaining 15 points and above. Serima High School recorded 12 students, Zimuti High School had 11, Gokomere High School and Mufakose High School each produced 10, Gutu High School recorded nine, Chiredzi Christian High School had eight, while Victoria High School, Duwere, Rufaro, St Joseph’s, and Marirangwe High School each produced seven students with 15 points and above. Chiredzi Government High School recorded six students who attained 15 points and above.
“These results show what is possible when leadership, supervision and commitment come together. We must now replicate this excellence across all schools,” said Minister Moyo.
Turning to infrastructure development, Minister Moyo said the government constructed 90 schools in 2024 and 127 schools in 2025, with plans to exceed those figures in 2026.
“We thank His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa for his visionary leadership in prioritising education infrastructure,” he said. “We will continue to build, rehabilitate and expand learning facilities across the country.”
He further announced that 9,000 Starlink kits are available for schools to improve connectivity, while more than 200 schools in Masvingo and Midlands provinces, particularly in rural districts such as Chivi, Mwenezi, Zaka and Bikita, will be solarised. Minister Moyo also assured educators that BEAM funds will be disbursed, including arrears from previous years.
Minister Moyo urged school heads to exercise financial prudence, conduct regular staff development workshops, supervise and mentor teachers, support ICT integration and innovation, and uphold professionalism and integrity.
“As school heads, you are not just leading schools; you are shaping the future of Zimbabwe,” he said. “Every classroom, workshop and laboratory is a building block of Vision 2030.”
He concluded by calling for unity within the Ministry to ensure quality education for every child, in every school, across every district.
