Midlands Province revives Merit Awards , celebrates academic excellence
n By Talent Kapita n nn n The Midlands Province in Zimbabwe has made a triumphant return to academic excellence with the revival of the Secretary's Merit Awards. n nn n After a years-long break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the province cel
anostrofy By Talent Kapita
The Midlands Province in Zimbabwe has made a triumphant return to academic excellence with the revival of the Secretary's Merit Awards.
After a years-long break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the province celebrated the achievements of its top-performing schools, showcasing significant progress and success stories in education.
The province's education sector has seen impressive results, with net enrollment ratios standing at 43% for Early Childhood Development, 88.27% for primary schools, and 56.07% for secondary schools. The Grade 7 completion rate is 91.5%, and the lower secondary retention rate is 81%. In 2024, the pass rates were 49.34% for Grade 7, 35.18% for Ordinary Level, and 95.46% for Advanced Level.
Provincial Education Director Jameson Machimbira highlighted the province's achievements, saying, "The Secretary’s Bell Merit Award is more than a trophy — it serves as a quality assurance and management tool that celebrates schools demonstrating excellence in teaching and learning, effective implementation of the Heritage-Based Curriculum, and the establishment of viable commercial ventures that benefit both learners and surrounding communities."
The province has also made significant investments in infrastructure development, including the construction of 10 science laboratories and four new schools. Additionally, 42 new schools have been registered, and 64 school registration applications have been successfully processed.
The merit awards ceremony recognized eight top-performing schools, celebrating their excellence in teaching and learning. Machimbira expressed gratitude to the Permanent Secretary for making the awards accessible to Midlands Province schools.
The winners of the Secretary's Merit Awards were Shabani Primary School, Makuwerere Primary School, St Anthony Mary Claret Chiutsi Primary School, Selukwe Primary School, Nkululeko ZIMFEP High School, Mbizo High School, Selukwe Chrome High School, and St Paul’s High School.
The PED said the award revival of the merit awards is a true testament to the province's commitment to academic excellence and development.
With its renewed focus on academic excellence, the Midlands Province is poised for continued success.
