By Decide Nhendo
It was a hive of activity at this year’s career guidance exhibition held at Manunure High School in Masvingo Central Constituency on Friday, July 26 2024.
The event which was organized by Masvingo Central ward 13 councilor Sarah Munemo and organizing Secretary Eliot Vhimisai was attended by six schools, Machitenda primary school, Manunure, Chikarudzo, Mapakomere, Mapanzure and Chekai Secondary schools. There were various exhibitors who attended and gave guidance to the learners.
Speaking to TellZim News, Ward 13 councilor Sarah Munemo said the career guidance was important to learners as it gave them exposure to different career paths that they may choose to pursue after school.
She said financial and network issues were affecting learners especially from rural areas and the career guidance programme brought them closer to the corporate world.
“We organized this career guidance for learners in ward 13 and 17 so that they get exposed to the job market in the world. The learners face major constraints like network barriers which hinter them from accessing essential information compared to those in urban areas, so through this initiative, they are acquainted with the information they need before they join the professional world,” said Munemo.
The hosting school head Svondo Chiwawa said the event was running under the theme,’ Fight against drug and substance abuse, heads taking the lead’.
He said the career guidance was relevant especially during a time when learners were indulging in drug and substance abuse saying they took advantage of the programme to teach leaners about the dangers of drug abuse.
Svondo also said they were implementing strategies to curb the surging and disturbing menace saying war against drug and substance abuse was for every person’s responsibility.
“This year’s theme is relevant because we are having serious trouble with learners who are taking drugs, some of the learners are now drug peddlers and they supplying to schools.
“We are making a lot of effort to stop this ill destroying our children’s futures, but to do so effectively the whole community must work together so that no gap will be spared in as much as drug and substance abuse is concerned.
“At Manunure we are planning to erect a precast wall so that we will be able to control and monitor all leaners, so I am sure if we combine effort we can make it,” said Chiwawa.
Local Junior councilor Catherine Muzinda said the career guidance was important because it equipped them with essential tools to meet the corporate world at the same time making them aware of the harm drugs can exert on their lives.
“The career guidance was important because we learnt more on careers that we can pursue, so now we are going to work knowing clearly what we want to do. We also learnt the physical and health harm caused by drug and substance abuse, so it’s up to us to shun drugs,” said Muzinda.
Four organisations namely Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) and Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) interacted with the leaners.
Munemo praised the collaboration between the community, schools and Masvingo Central Member of Parliament which she said resulted in the organisation of such a brilliant programme.
“What made it easy for the event to be a success is the unity between the community and local leaders. Our MP offered transport and refreshments, while locals provided food and also the hosting school offered the space,” said Munemo.
She said the event will be bigger and better next year as they target all the school in the constituency to participate.
