The Sunday News
Nkosilathi Sibanda, News Reporter
EDUCATIONAL institutions continue to support Government’s Education 5.0, with one of the city’s top private schools, V Mhlophe High School having made strides to start offering practical skills to its learners, in partnership with the Higher Education Examinations Council (Hexco).
This is a first of its kind in Bulawayo as the school, located in the fast sprawling suburb of Cowdray Park, aims at grooming pupils who will be able to use hands-on skills to eke a living while contributing to economic development. Already, a practical subjects building has been completed and lessons are to start soon, according to the school’s director Dr Victor Moyo.
Cowdray Park residents gather at a Wi-Fi hotspot in the suburb
Dr Moyo said as a complement to efforts of improving educational standards, the institution received a WiFi facility courtesy of the Finance and Economic Development Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube. Prof Ncube is also the House of Assembly Zanu-PF candidate for the constituency in the upcoming elections.
“V Mhlophe High School board has resolved that the school also offers practical skills training under Hexco. The school does not only provide an academic service. In view of economic challenges and skyrocketing levels of unemployment, the ACT’V board which also runs the school, saw it fit to equip learners with practical skills so as to prepare them for life after school. The practical skills building is up and is being finalised for use. Financial constraints are limiting the pursuant of our vision.”
The ACT’V group also runs Angels Primary School, Tshebetshebe Elementary School and Cana Primary School, which are all located in the western suburbs. Dr Moyo said with latest developments at V Mhlophe High, they remain committed to serving the Cowdray Park community and would aim to make sure the WiFi facility benefits learners in particular on their Continuous Assessment Learning Areas (CALA) assignments.
“We applaud the team from Government that paid a visit to the school and were impressed with the development so far. A week later, we got a generous offer of the WiFi facility from Professor Mthuli Ncube. This means we have switched on a digital gear. The WiFi will definitely go a long way in assisting children in their studies. Our wish is to immensely contribute in shaping the Cowdray Park community,” said Dr Moyo.
CALA system
Meanwhile, in a bid to expand its service portfolio, V Mhlophe High School is expected to have a boarding facility next year.
“We are running a project of constructing a boarding facility which is aimed to start operations by January 2024. Our fees are affordable and looking at the economic constraints faced by parents, we don’t see ourselves increasing fees in the near future,” said Dr Moyo.
