By Sr. Maceline Mudambo in Mutare

Five headmasters who reached retirement age have been recently honored by the Diocese of Mutare’s Education Commission for their hard work and commitment in developing Catholic schools. The headmasters were each given solar water equipment which include submersible pump, 5000l water tank, solar panels, invertors, and batteries from the Diocese’s Education Commission and other goodies from their respective schools.

The meeting was attended by Mutare Diocese Bishop Paul Horan, ZCBC National Coordinator for the Education Commission, Sr. Theresa Nyadombo, Education Secretary for Mutare Diocese, Mr. Lawrence Chibvuri, priests from the diocese and the headmasters’ families.

At a function that was held at St. Joseph High School in Mutare on 12 May 2023 the Bishop of Mutare, Paul Horan, appreciated the service that the headmasters Mr. Peter Nyabawa, Mr. Clement Nyamandwe, Mr. Michael Chakamhara, Mr. Richard Chiome and Mr. Stanley Temberere, rendered to Catholic Schools in Mutare during the time of their service.

Mr. Nyabawa served 17 years at St. Joseph primary in Mutare where he retired from, Mr. Clement Nyamandwe did 22 years in Catholic schools and retired from Marist Nyanga High School, Mr. Michael Chakamhara did 18 years and retired from St. Columbus primary school in Honde Valley, Mr. Richard Chiome served 37 years in Catholic institutions and retired from St. Joseph High School, Rusape while Mr. Stanley Temberere retired from St. Theresa Secondary School, Gandai after 17 years of service in Catholic schools.

The education secretary Mr. Lawrence Chibvuri thanked the five headmasters for their great service in the education commission which he said helped in transforming levels of education not only in the diocese but in the province and the whole country.

Mr. Stanley Tembere appreciated the gesture shown by the Diocese of Mutare saying the solar water equipment further empowers their ability to remain productive after their long period in school administration.

“I never expected this to happen to me. This is a very big recognition of my hard work in Catholic schools by the Diocese. The equipment has further empowered me in my agricultural projects. I am very grateful for what the Diocese of Mutare did for us. The gesture is also an important inspiration to those teachers who are still in the system for them to work extra hard so that they get recognition at the end of the day,” said Mr. Temberere.

The headmasters said they were very happy to receive the gesture which is the first of its kind in the diocese. Mr. Chiome said the gesture did not come on a silver platter but was a result of serious engagement with the responsible authority to appreciate the work that is done by headmasters in Catholic Schools.

“The gesture did not come easily. Headmasters play an important role in the development of Catholic schools. We engaged the responsible authority to recognize the effort that headmasters put in developing schools. I am very happy that that step was taken. The gesture motivates those behind us to want to deliver to the best of their ability,” stressed Mr. Chiome.

Mr. Clement Nyamandwe spoke highly well about the development which he wishes to see continuing. He said such a thing never happened to headmasters that went before him.

He said: “This is a positive development and we wish it continues as it is the first of its kind. We want to thank those who organized especially the Bishop, the Education Secretary and the Catholic Schools Association of Mutare Diocese. Those who retired before us did not get anything and I want to thank the Bishop and the Diocese for acknowledging the service rendered by headmasters in church institutions of education.”