By Tapiwa Chawagarira
HARARE — Nine junior service chiefs from the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) have received tablets donated by President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, in a development that highlights the growing emphasis on digital learning and youth development within the correctional service.
The tablets were handed over by ZPCS Commissioner-General Dr Moses Cyril Ngawaite Chihobvu, who was the guest of honour at a ceremony held at the Harare Central Prison Senior Officers’ Mess on Monday.
The recipients represented ZPCS during the 34th Session of the Junior Parliament of Zimbabwe held at the New Parliament Building in Mount Hampden on July 8.
The Junior Parliament, which mirrors the structure of the national Parliament, provides young people with an opportunity to participate in governance, debate issues affecting children and develop leadership and civic responsibility skills. Government has described the platform as an important avenue for nurturing future leaders and encouraging meaningful youth participation in national development.
President Mnangagwa, while officially opening the 34th session, challenged young representatives to treat leadership as a responsibility rather than merely a title, urging them to demonstrate discipline, service and respect.
The President has also placed greater emphasis on digital skills and modern learning environments as part of efforts to prepare young Zimbabweans for an increasingly technology-driven economy.
For the nine ZPCS junior service chiefs, the tablets therefore represent more than recognition for their participation in Junior Parliament, with the devices expected to support their education and personal development.
Addressing the recipients, Comm-Gen Chihobvu urged them to use the gadgets responsibly and ensure that they contribute meaningfully to their academic pursuits.
“I urge you to be responsible with the tablets that you have received today,” he said.
“Use them as useful tools to assist you in your academic endeavours,” he added.
His remarks underline the importance of ensuring that technology is used not only for communication and entertainment but also as a tool for research, learning and skills development.
The recipients were Commissioner-General Shane Chidzanga, Commissioner-General Nyasha Tekwa, Assistant Commissioner Stacy Sangurani, Assistant Commissioner Taropafadzwa Takangovada, Superintendent Primrose Ruvinga, Superintendent Anenyasha Gorejena, Superintendent Kelvin Pikanegore, Assistant Principal Correctional Officer Muguguzuri Tinotenda and Assistant Principal Correctional Officer Tekwa Namatai.
The handover also brought attention to the role played by parents, guardians, teachers and instructors in supporting young people taking part in programmes designed to develop leadership and public speaking skills.
Comm-Gen Chihobvu thanked the parents, guardians, teachers and instructors for their continued support of the junior service chiefs throughout their programmes.
The recipients and their parents, meanwhile, expressed gratitude to President Mnangagwa for fulfilling his pledge and to Comm-Gen Chihobvu for ensuring that the tablets reached the intended beneficiaries.
The development comes against a broader Government push to expand access to digital learning. At the 34th Junior Parliament, President Mnangagwa spoke of the need to modernise learning environments and equip young people with digital and practical skills.
The tablets could consequently provide the junior service chiefs with access to electronic learning materials, research resources and other educational tools, while reinforcing the message that participation in youth leadership programmes should be accompanied by continued learning and personal development.
For the ZPCS, the initiative also presents an opportunity to encourage its young representatives to translate their Junior Parliament experience into responsible leadership within the correctional service and the wider community.
