Farai Chitotombe
MASVINGO CITY-It was a carnival atmosphere at one of the most sought after primary schools in Masvingo Province as Victoria Primary School bagged the prestigious Secretary’s Merit Award.
No other person could express the appreciation better than the school head, Rameck Mashuro who was all smiles throughout the day on Friday last week during the official conferment by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Permanent Secretary, Tumisang Thabela.
Victoria Primary was given an award for excellence and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic for the year 2020 and for their efforts they received student tablets, 1 projector and teacher laptops as well as the Secretary’s Bell.
“For the 2020 Merit Awards, the Ministry’s focus is on schools that did not allow their operations to stop when faced with challenges around the COVID-19 induced school closures: schools that were innovative in mobilising resources to make sure that they continued to function when others buckled once the physical classrooms were closed.
“The Secretary’s Merit Award which we are conferring to Victoria Junior Primary School is the highest accolade that schools in Zimbabwe can attain and it’s meant to ensure that they continue to offer a relevant and high quality education product to their clients.
“We therefore want to salute the Victoria Junior Primary School today, for being one of the recipients of this coveted award for the very difficult year that 2020 was. Makorokoto, Congratulations, to the entire Victoria Junior family,” Said Thabela to a thunderous applause.
Mashuro who was over the moon with excitement as he was handed over the award said, “this can never be a Mashuro award alone, but also teachers, parents and children of Victoria Primary School.”
The prestigious ceremony was also attended by Masvingo Provincial Education Director, Shylatte Mhike.
The Secretary’s merit award was also received by other schools including Rufaro High School in Gutu, Masvingo Province, Amandas Junior in Mashonaland Central, Sacred Heart Girls High of Matebeleland South, Eveline High School and Gampu Primary in Bulawayo, Dimpamiwa Primary School Matebeleland North province, Highfield 1 High School Harare, Nyadire Primary School and Chinyika High School Mashonaland East province.
