New Catholic Schools add weight to education in Zimbabwe: As Maryward Sisters and Sacred Heart Brothers plan gigantic educational development in Midlands.

By Br. Alfonce Kugwa

Maryward Sisters are yet in another gigantic educational development project to provide secondary education by constructing a massive secondary school in Kwekwe’s Mbizo 21. The school whose first block is at an advanced stage will provide secondary education to students from Maryward Primary and other schools in Kwekwe.

The Regional Superior for the Maryward Sisters, Sr. Mercy Shumbamhini said the project was meant to provide quality education to students from the 10 primary schools in Mbizo.

“This project proposes to improve the level and quality of education of children in Mbizo Suburb, Kwekwe. We want to make education accessible to many poor people in Mbizo. There are 10 primary schools in Mbizo and yet only two secondary schools. Maryward Secondary will add to the number of schools in the area,” said Sr. Shumbamhini.

Sr. Shumbamhini further elaborated that the construction of the school was driven by the quest to provide better and affordable education to children who cannot afford boarding fees. The push also came from parents and the community who pleaded with the Sisters to build a secondary school to cater for children from Maryward Primary and those from other schools in the city. This prompted the City of Kwekwe to donate land to the congregation for the construction of Maryward Secondary School.

“Our Maryward primary school has produced quality results of 100% over the years, but many of these learners cannot afford boarding fees. It has been a major concern for us as Maryward Sisters for years to see these children not proceeding with their education after providing them with such a good foundation. Quality education is essential especially when it comes to life opportunities after Secondary School,” Sr. Shumbamhini echoed.

The school whose ground breaking was on 3 February 2018 is at an advanced stage with Form 1 and Form 2 blocks in the final stage of completion. The next phase will see the construction of an administration block, Forms 3 and 4 and later Form 5 and 6. The enrollment of the school is expected to be 720.

Maryward Sisters are renowned for their hard work and proficiency in service delivery especially in health and social work. The congregation has ventured into education as realised by the construction of Maryward Primary School in 2001also in Kwekwe.

Meanwhile, Sacred Heart Brothers have embarked on a similar project by building the massive Sacred Heart College in Greenvale, Gweru along Mvuma road. The School whose structures are near completion will have a carrying capacity of 420 boys and girls. Sacred Heart College will enroll students from Form 1 to Form Six.

According to the spokesperson for the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, Br. Wellington Mutimurefu, the idea was prompted by the need to have a modern Catholic School with state-of-the-art facilities that meets 21^st century standards and needs. The school which will offer boarding facilities is destined to open its doors in January 2020.

The college becomes the second school owned by the Brothers of Sacred Heart Province of Eastern and Southern Africa in Zimbabwe after Sacred Heart High School in Mwenezi. The Brothers of the Sacred Heart have been running Loreto High School on behalf of Gweru Diocese since independence.

The acquisition and development of more schools by the Catholic Church is meant to instill Catholic ethos in the development of children so that they become responsible citizens in future. The idea is also about complementing the Government of Zimbabwe’s efforts to provide basic and comprehensive education to all children.