Cuthbert Mashoko
MWENEZI-Multitudes of people from all walks of life, across the length and breadth of Mwenezi District converged at Rutenga Primary School on 5 November to witness the historic 2021 Secretary’s Merit Award unveiling ceremony.
Mwenezi District Schools Inspector, Shepherd Mapara was the guest of honor.
Among the high ranking dignitaries who graced the colourful occasion were the Designate Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Isaac Zindari, Mwenezi District Public Service Commission human resources director, Last Gondo, schools inspectors, Mwenezi Rural District Council Chairperson, Admire Matutu, Mark Masiya represented District Development Coordinator, Isaac Mutambara, heads of district line ministries, Chief Negari, and several heads of schools.
Mapara, congratulated Rutenga Primary for attaining a rare historic achievement. “Well done, congratulations, makorokoto, amhlope Rutenga Primary School for making us proud as Mwenezi District. Mwenezi is on the rise and it shall never be the same,” echoed Mapara
The Secretary’s Merit Award previously known as the Secretary’s Bell is the highest accolade of excellence that a school or a school head can ever achieve. Rutenga Primary won the award in 2021 but due to COVID19 the ministry suspended the celebrations from 2021 to 2024.
Rutenga Primary’s overall pass rate since 2017 has always been above 90 percent coupled by massive infrastructure development, as evidenced by the construction of a state of the art administration block and standard classroom blocks, catapulted the school to greatness, making it the best primary school in Masvingo Province in 2021.
Mapara went on to challenge other schools to take a leaf from Rutenga Primary. “If Rutenga Primary could do it, this means as Mwenezi we can do it, Sacred Heart High, G&N Primary, Chitanga Primary, you have the capacity to make us proud as well,” challenged Mapara.
In a speech read on her behalf, Mwenezi East Constituency MP Sheillah Chikomo hailed Rutenga Primary Head for flying the district’s flag high, “The success of Rutenga Primary is an indication of collective effort. May l congratulate Rutenga Primary for delivering quality education, the success of Rutenga Primary is a pointer of HE President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa’s commitment towards quality education” read the speech delivered by Douglas Zvidzo, Mwenezi East Constituency Administrator.
Rutenga Primary Head, Tenson Mukapa alluded Rutenga Primary’s historic achievement to team work. “It was a vision and today l am proud that it is now a reality through team work. Our district education office, parents, teachers and community, this is a fruit of our collective effort,” said Mukapa who went on to pay tribute to Strike Ncube, former head.
“l am glad that Mr Strike Ncube, former Head of this school is here. He laid the foundation of this achievement and groomed me, since l was his Deputy.”
Rutenga Primary becomes the fourth school in Mwenezi District to win the Secretary’s Merit Award after Mwenezi High, Vinga and Chengami Primary.
A combined award ceremony by the Perm Sec was held on 28 August at Madyangove Primary in Chivi District where all schools that won the Merit accolades were recognised.
