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Budiriro B College geared for greatness

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Budiriro B College geared for greatness

Budiriro B principal, Vandirai Vandirai

Exsto Makunzva

ZVISHAVANE – One of the fastest growing colleges in Zvishavane, Budiriro B College, located in the high density suburb of Maglas, is proud of its record as a school where pupils are shaped to be life’s success stories.
The school recorded an impressive 93.64 percent pass rate in the 2017 ‘A’ level results, with top performers being Bright Runhare and Thomas Garakasha both of whom were studying commercial subjects.
Budiriro B College principal, Vandirai Vandirai said the school was consistently working to improve its standing in a community where it takes a lot of effort to earn the confidence of parents.
“Our enrolment is rising and we are impressed by the strides we have made in the relatively short period that we have been in existence. We want to match that with the hard work that is required to keep our brand in the public limelight while giving parents every reason to send their children to Budiriro B College,” said Vandirai.
The school has become renowned for helping repeaters who would have failed to score good marks elsewhere.
“We do not discriminate anybody. We accept any pupil who wants a fair opportunity to bring out his/her full academic potential. That approach makes us different from other schools that sets the bar of enrolment too high such that it becomes a form of discrimination against those that are less capable.
“We know that children are not uniformly gifted in terms of their ability to grasp concepts and pass examinations. That is why we have teachers who are prepared to handle pupils with the attention they deserve as individual children,” said Vandira
He said the school was developing its facilities so that no pupil is turned away for such reasons as limited capacity. He said Horticulture, Bookkeeping and Computers will soon be introduced.education

Herd boy killed by lightning in Zaka

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Herd boy killed by lightning in Zaka


TellZim Reporter

ZAKA – Marasa Tazvitya (32) from Zvidzai Village under Chief Ndanga died last week after an abandoned hut in which he had sought shelter from the rain caught fire after it was struck by a bolt of lightning.
Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Charity Mazula confirmed the incident and urged people to find safer shelter during thunderstorms.
Sources said Tazvitya was heading cattle when he sheltered at an abandoned homestead after it started raining.
The hut in which he was sheltering was struck by a bolt of lightning and a neighbour, David Pungwe went to investigate after he saw the hut on fire.
Upon his arrival, he found Tazvitya lying dead on the floor with multiple burns. he later reported the matter to the police.local

School head boy convicted for assaulting pupil

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School head boy convicted for assaulting pupil


Cephas Shava

MWENEZI – The head boy of Guiding Star Secondary School was last week convicted by the Mwenezi Magistrates’ Court and sentenced to a wholly suspended three months jail term for assaulting a pupil who had made fun of him.
Tendai Mboweni of Mboweni village under Chief Negari, pleaded guilty to charges of assault when he appeared before magistrate Honest Musiiwa.
The magistrate warned Mboweni that the court was only lenient with him as he was still at school and the victim did not sustain serious injuries.
It was the State’s case that on January 31 at around 08:00 hrs, Mboweni summoned Maslow Dziva to his office and asked him why he had mocked him the previous day at assembly, accusing him of stealing some dolls.
He then struck Dziva using open hands several times on his face and a police report was made leading to Mboweni’s arrest.
Angelinah Makonya appeared for the State.local

YEH gets Tilda’s endorsement

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YEH gets Tilda’s endorsement

Tilda Moyo (centre) poses for a photo with Mr and Mrs Mtetwa as they display their certificate

Bothwell Chabarika

Popular national radio personality, Tilda Moyo has pledged to help the Youth Empowerment Hub (YEH) to develop and venture into bigger, more meaningful projects.
Tilda, as she is affectionately known by her host of fans, took the stance last Friday night during a well-decorated Valentine’s Dinner organised by YEH at Flamboyant Hotel where she was invited as a speaker.
The radio presenter led a question and answer segment where couples shared their challenges and experiences.
Tristan Zharare, who is Tilda’s brand manager, told TellZim News that YEH had proved to be a group of well-organised young people with immense potential to do many great things.
“We have seen a lot of potential in these youths and we are looking forward to work with them whenever and wherever they need us. We are pleased to be part of this event and it’s an honour to be in Masvingo for such a noble programme,” said Zharare.
The event saw some couples being awarded certificates and accolades in different categories such as dancing, dressing, games among other competitions. The Mtetwa family got the couple of the year and well-dressed couple awards.
YEH national president, Artwell Murambatsvina said he was glad that Tilda had expressed confidence in the work being done by the organisation.
“This is a humbling experience and we appreciate the support that Tilda and her crew have given us. Ours is a resolve to build the potential of young people to help themselves for the sake of poverty alleviation and economic opportunities,” said Murambatsvina.entertainment

Zanu PF Gutu activist sentenced for assaulting CCJP member over BVR serial number

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Zanu PF Gutu activist sentenced for assaulting CCJP member over BVR serial number

Abel Mauchi
…as another wreaks havoc in Zimuto
TellZim Reporter
MASVINGO – A Zanu PF activist in Gutu district was last Friday sentenced to six months in prison for assaulting Abel Mauchu, a talented poet and member of the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) who had refused to reveal his voter registration slip for the recording of its serial number.
Gutu magistrate Edwin Marecha, however, suspended two months of the jail sentence against Matora Musiiwa for three years.
The other four months were suspended on condition that Masiiwa performs 105 hours of community service at Mutendeure Primary School.
It was the State’s case, as presented by prosecutor Simon Mudyahoto, that on February 09, Musiiwa, of Mutendeure village under Chief Makore, approached Mauchi at the local business centre and demanded to know why he had not submitted his serial number when everybody else had done so.
The complainant, who had been away on CCJP peace programmes in Zaka, responded that he had not been around, but the accused went on to accuse him of being a supporter of the MDC party.
Sensing danger, the complainant decided to leave but the accused followed him, tripped him to the ground and kicked him repeatedly with booted feet on his left ribs, inflicting severe injuries on him.
A medical affidavit was made to confirm the injuries of the complainant who had been admitted at Gutu Mission Hospital.
Mauchi has since sought a peace order against Musiiwa and another Zanu PF activist, Pedzisai Manzunzu, to bar them from disturbing his peace and from threatening to harm his family.
Mauchi has also slapped Musiiwa with a US$10 000 lawsuit.
Meanwhile villagers in Mahoto area under Chief Zimutu, Masvingo North constituency, are complaining against another overzealous Zanu PF activist who is reportedly doing door to door campaigns forcing people to submit the serial numbers on their voter registration slips
The activist, only identified as Mai Mashasha, is said to be threatening non-compliant villagers with violence and exclusion from government programmes like food aid and agricultural inputs distribution.
Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) Masvingo provincial elections officer, Zex Pudurai said he had not received the report but blamed unethical political scheming for the various complaints being registered.
“The problem lies in political parties that require their members to prove that they are registered voters before they can contest for any post in party structures. That is how the precedent is set. We urge all political players to observe the law at all times,” said Pudurai.top news

Soldiers attack civilian bus in Malipati

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Soldiers attack civilian bus in Malipati

The injured Shepherd Matambo

…brutalise driver, conductor

Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI – Members of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) allegedly ran riot in Malipati last Friday night, vandalising a Chiwara Bus Service coach, beating up its driver and conductor, and terrorising its passengers whom they accused of being border jumpers.
The case was reported to Chikombedzi Police Station where a police officer reportedly failed to record a statement from the soldiers because they were very drunk.
When TellZim News sought a comment, Masvingo Police spokesperson, Inspector Charity Mazula said she had not received the report.
However, people who spoke to TellZim News said at around 23:00 hrs, the bus, which was travelling from Chiredzi to Dhavata, dropped some passengers at a place called Corner 18.
Some of the disembarked passengers met a group of eight drunk soldiers who threatened them, forcing the terrified travellers to run back and get onto the bus.
The soldiers, reportedly led by one Lt Serimani, followed them and ordered the driver to release the passengers whom they wanted to ‘deal with’ but the driver refused.
This angered the soldiers who then allegedly shattered the windscreen, damaged the tyres and assaulted Shepherd Matambo, the driver and Thomas Macharaga, the conductor.
Maxwell Chiwara, who is the proprietor of Chiwara Bus Services, blamed acts of hooliganism by the soldiers for the damage to his bus and the assault on his employees.
“Soldiers vandalised my bus and tortured my employees after he refused to force passengers out. The windscreen was damaged and tyres punctured by the soldiers who claimed to have power over all affairs in this country.
“They accused our passengers of being border jumpers but do we need passports to move from one province to another? The bus was travelling to a place which is close to Matabeleland South province and that is some 30 km to the border with South Africa. How then could we be accused of ferrying illegal immigrants?” said Chiwara.
Chiredzi South Member of Parliament, Rtd Brig Gen Kalisto Gwanetsa criticised the conduct of the soldiers saying their actions were detrimental to investment in the transport potential of the area.
“Chiwara has been an all-weather friend on the routes of Chiredzi South. We have a lot of enquiries from various operators who want to explore local routes but I am afraid if they get to hear about this, they may as well decide to stay out,” said Gwanetsa, adding that he had spoken to authorities at 4 Brigade about the incident.local

Mwenezi headmaster flees school as auditors approach

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Mwenezi headmaster flees school as auditors approach

Abel Hlungwani

Cephas Shava

MWENEZI – Chemvana Secondary School head, Abel Hlungwani has for several days been missing from work after he allegedly fled when he learnt that auditors who were on their way, TellZim News has learnt.
Though repeated efforts to get a comment from Hlungwani were fruitless as his mobile was on voicemail, reliable sources said the school head fled to avoid meeting the auditors.
Hlungwani is said to have come back later to pack his property and disappear into thin air. He had never been heard from by the time of writing.
District Schools Inspector (DSI), Lackson Zanamwe was not immediately available to comment but Provincial Education Director (PED), Zedius Chitiga could neither confirm nor deny the report.
“I am not sure about such an incident. My office is yet to receive the report,” said Chitiga.
A sources, however, told TellZim News that the school head’s flight had raised suspicions that school funds could have been abused.
“When auditors visited the school on February 9, Hlungwani was absent. He had left the school saying he was going to collect a bank statement. When the auditors arrived, the deputy head phoned him because some financial books were missing.
“Hlungwani promised that he was on his way back but he never came back on that day, and the auditors spent the whole day waiting for him.
“He later came and collected all his property and has never been seen ever since. His house is completely empty,” said the source.local

Dewure High officially opens new sciences, computer labs

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Dewure High officially opens new sciences, computer labs

Dr Tizora cuts the ribbon to mark the official opening of the laboratories

Precila Takabvirakare

GUTU – Senior principal director for academic affairs in the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, Dr Dzapasi Innocent Tizora was at Dewure High School last week to officially open newly-refurbished sciences and computer laboratories.
The project, which began last year, saw the school renovating two of its existing blocks to create state-of-the-art laboratories in less than three months.
The science labs can accommodate 28 Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Agriculture students while the computer lab has enough space for 40 students.
In his speech, Dr Tizora praised Dewure High for making enormous strides towards the full implementation of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (Stem) initiative.
“Despite the challenges that schools face in promoting the learning of science subjects, Dewure High School has demonstrated remarkable innovation. We are impressed with the quality of lab facilities that we have seen here.
“The school continues to build upon its success stories over the years and uses that as a ladder to step ahead into the future,” Dr Tizora said.
The school received 40 desktop computers from Solomon Matsa, dust coats from the contractor WW2 and an anti-theft alarm system from Dr Tizora who also promised to install an air conditioning system for the labs.
Gutu District Schools Inspector (DSI) James Mahofa said the developments at Dewure High dovetailed with the Education ministry’s drive for infrastructural development in schools.
“We have a new curriculum which requires infrastructural development. I am pleased to see that as Dewure High School, you are fulling the requirements of that curriculum so the ministry will continue to support you,” said Mahofa.
He advised pupils to take good care of the labs, warning them against abusing the internet.
Speaking to TellZim News, Dewure High School head, Samuel Mahwehwe thanked all people who made the project a success.
“This is a great milestone in our quest to improve education standards at our school. Our gratitude goes to all parents, those who made donations and all other stakeholders who made a contribution. Their efforts have indeed made an impact on our thrust to elevate the study of sciences at our school,” said Mahwehwe.
Emanuel Chikombe, an ‘A’ level sciences pupil said he was confident academic performance will improve as the laboratories are now better equipped.education

‘Professor in incompetence, ignorance’

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‘Professor in incompetence, ignorance’

Professor Paul Mavhima

. . . Mavima defends high pupil/teacher ratio
. . . says he will not resign, come what may
. . . ECD at public schools now a joke

Moses Ziyambi

There is an outrage against the alleged policy blunders being made by the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Professor Paul Mavima who stands accused of making unpopular decisions that are detrimental to the education sector.
Recently, Mavima nullified the 2017 Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (ZIMSEC) ‘O’ Level English Paper 2 results and controversially ordered a re-sit, a deeply unpopular decision which was later invalidated by the High Court of Zimbabwe last week.
As if that is not enough, Prof Mavima told TellZim News in an interview this week that it was normal to have a class of 50 to 60 ECD pupils being taught by one teacher.
He was responding to questions on his decision to freeze the recruitment of new Early Childhood Development (ECD) teachers, a move that has created an unmanageable situation in public schools where one teacher has to deal with a class of up to 60 little children.
“It’s normal. That is the case everywhere even in Harare. There are resource constraints but when things loosen up, we will start recruiting again,” said Mavima.
Asked if – by his use of the word ‘normal’ – he meant that the situation in primary schools was ideal even by government’s own standards, Mavima changed track, saying things should be better.
“At ECD level we should have 25 pupils in each class, at junior primary (grades 3-7) it should be 35 while in secondary school, the proper number is 40,” Mavima said.
There are growing calls from parents and other key stakeholders for Mavima to resign but the Professor, who is rumoured to be related to the President, said he will not call it quits, come what may.
Masvingo Provincial Education Director (PED) Zedius Chitiga acknowledged the problem of pupil per teacher ratio but warned schools against using that as an excuse for poor quality teaching.
“We indeed have inadequate teaching capacity at ECD level and our hope is that things will improve. We however do not accept dereliction of duty while using the problems at hand as an excuse. Schools need to be innovative and they must know the right places to go and present their respective problems so that we help each other wherever possible,” said Chitiga.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a teacher at one school in Masvingo Urban said almost 400 ECD pupils were sharing a three-classroom block and three teachers.
“The situation cannot be sustained. We are cheating ourselves and robbing the children of their future because they are receiving no education at all. Imagine having to manage all those small children on your own; some of them crying, making noise or paying no attention at all. There is nothing much a teacher can do, we just let them be and wait for knock off time,” said the teacher.
Another teacher said ECD learning in public schools will soon mean nothing if government does not reverse its decision to stop recruiting more ECD teachers.
“It’s an irrational decision. Children are going to school as a pastime with only the brightest minds standing a chance of learning anything from the overcrowded classrooms. For those who can afford it, it is wise to send their children to private crèches,” said the teacher.
One school head in Gutu said the government had to scrap the ECD programme altogether if it was not fully committed to fund its requirements.
“I do not understand why we are being forced to continue with a programme which does not have full government commitment. At my school, ECD children are sitting on the floor and they don’t have teachers,” said the school head.
He also attacked Mavima for what he said were outrageous policy blunders barely three months after assuming office.
“He must resign and preserve whatever little credibility that’s left of him. There is the English paper two re-write debacle, and now the jokes that are happening in ECD,” he said.education

Danda School teachers robbed, raped

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Danda School teachers robbed, raped

Brighton Chiseva

ZAKA – Five female teachers at Danda Primary School were severely assaulted, robbed and one of them was raped when two assailants burgled into four houses during the night of February 16.
Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Charity Mazula confirmed the robbery and rape.
“We received a report in which five female teachers at Danda School in Zaka were robbed and one of them was raped.
“We urge schools to work with police constabularies in their communities so that they can receive improved protection. They also need to have WhatsApp groups where they can warn each other in case of are emergencies,” said Insp Mazula.
Sources who spoke to TellZim News said the assailants pounced at the school at around 02:00 hrs armed with an iron bar and a hoe handle that they used to force open the doors to the rooms of their victims.
The ruffians savagely assaulted their victims all over their bodies before robbing them of their valuables including cash, a laptop and cellphones.
TellZim News managed to speak some of the victims who said the woman who got raped was very traumatised and was admitted at Ndanga Hospital.
Other sources said one of the victims hid herself in a deep freezer when she noticed that her neighbours were under attack.
“After ransacking the house, they moved on to the following one where they found the frightened woman cowering in the freezer but did not rape her because she was in severe pain from a recent Caesarian operation. She however lost two phones to the robbers.
“Another victim was spared a rape ordeal because she managed to convince the thugs that she had an STI. We suspect it was a gang made up of more than two members,” said a source.
After robbing at the school, the same robbers proceeded to Danda business centre where they robbed a female shopkeeper and walked away with groceries and some cash.
Zaka North Member of Parliament (MP) Robson Mavenyengwa who rushed to the school after the attack, called upon rural schools to employ better security measures to protect female teachers.
“Schools should bear the expense of their security but we also call upon the police to find ways of improving the safety of rural schools. My heart is with the victims and we will work to make sure they are given the necessary counselling and any other support they need,” said Mavenyengwa.local

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