Mkoba Teachers College Caps 679 Graduands, Charts Way to Golden Jubilee

Gweru - Mkoba Teachers College has transformed from the aspirations of its silver jubilee years into a thriving centre of academic excellence, innovation and community empowerment, Principal Dr. Rosina Mavunga said yesterday, Friday May 8, during the institution’s 46th graduation ceremony.

The colourful event, held under the theme “Heritage, A Lifetime of Empowerment: Transforming Lives Through Education as We Mark 50 Golden Years of Excellence,” reflected on the college’s journey from its silver jubilee celebrations to the milestones now being recorded as it approaches its golden jubilee.

Addressing graduands, government officials, lecturers, parents and invited guests, Dr. Mavunga described the occasion as a historic moment that demonstrated how the institution had evolved into one of Zimbabwe’s leading teacher training colleges since its establishment in 1976. 

“Today we gather not only to celebrate graduation but to reflect on a heritage built over decades of resilience, innovation and dedication to education,” she said.

She said the institution’s progress since its silver jubilee celebrations years ago could now be measured through academic excellence, innovation, infrastructure development, cultural preservation and community outreach programmes transforming lives across Zimbabwe.

The principal noted that the college had remained committed to producing competent educators while adapting to the country’s heritage-based Education 5.0 philosophy.

A total of 679 graduands were capped during the ceremony, with 468 graduating under the Diploma in Primary Education programme and 211 under Diploma in Secondary Science Education.

The institution recorded exceptional academic results, with both the Early Childhood Development and General Course programmes attaining a 100 percent pass rate, while Secondary Science Education achieved 98 percent, giving the college an overall pass rate of 99.33 percent.

Dr. Mavunga said the impressive results were evidence of the institution’s continued growth and commitment to academic excellence.

“These distinctions and pass rates are not by accident. They are products of years of hard work, quality training and institutional growth,” she said.

The college also recorded 458 distinctions across various programmes, underlining its reputation for producing high-performing graduates.

Dr. Mavunga linked the institution’s success story to the dedication of its 95 lecturers and 65 non-teaching staff members, whom she described as the backbone of the college’s enduring legacy.

“What elevates our institution is not just infrastructure or numbers, but our people, their teamwork and their unwavering commitment to transforming lives through education,” she said.

As part of its transformation from a traditional teacher-training institution into an innovation hub, Mkoba Teachers College showcased several student-driven projects during the ceremony.

Among the innovations were a mobile sink capable of turning ordinary classrooms into laboratories, an Arduino-powered Digital Mentor system for enhancing digital literacy, an automated class register, a campus disaster risk management system and a smart home security system.

Dr. Mavunga said the innovations symbolised the college’s successful transition from the ambitions of its silver jubilee years into a modern institution aligned with industrialisation and national development goals.

“Our students are no longer just teachers in training. They are innovators, researchers and problem solvers contributing towards Vision 2030,” she said.

The principal further highlighted the institution’s growing contribution to research and knowledge production, revealing that staff and students had published 14 journal articles, 33 book chapters and six textbooks over the past year alone.

Beyond academics, Dr. Mavunga said the college had become a key player in community empowerment and rural industrialisation.

She announced that Gangarabwe High School was now operational, while construction of Ishasha School in Binga is expected to begin before year-end.

“These are success stories that show how far the college has come since the silver jubilee era. We are now directly contributing to community development and national transformation,” she said.

Mkoba Teachers College has also intensified efforts to preserve Zimbabwean culture and heritage through the establishment of a cultural village featuring traditional huts under the Culture Hubs Initiative.

The initiative has already begun attracting visits from schools and institutions seeking to learn more about Zimbabwean cultural heritage.

The institution has also supported disadvantaged students through its Work Study Programme, assisting 87 students over the past three years while equipping them with practical skills in agriculture, art and design and entrepreneurship.

On infrastructure development, the college renovated and painted three hostels and kitchens while upgrading administrative and academic facilities.

The college’s sporting success was also celebrated after students won 17 medals, including five gold medals,  at the Zimbabwe Teachers Colleges Sports Association Games.

Mkoba Teachers College additionally showcased its talent and innovation at national platforms such as the Traditional Cookout Competition hosted by Kwekwe Polytechnic and the recently-ended Zimbabwe International Trade Fair.

In an emotional moment during the ceremony, the college community paused to honour departed staff members and students, including lecturer Nokuthula Dube, general hand Lovemore Marumisa and students Lucky Tafadzwa and Chatindo Restings Tafadzwa.

Dr. Mavunga urged graduates to uphold the college’s legacy as the institution moves towards its golden jubilee celebrations.

“As you step into the world, remember your influence goes beyond the classroom. Transform communities, inspire innovation and shape the future through education,” she said.