Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. THE establishment of an elite school in rural Mahusekwa has changed the face of the area, which has seen both locals and visitors embracing modern and standard education.
Dubbed Protama High School, the learning centre has become the talk of Mahusekwa with its modern learning infrastructure attracting scores of learners.
Still under construction, the school opened its doors in January 2023 with only 24 learners.
Today, Protama High School boasts more than 200 learners from Form 1 up to 6.
A visit to the school by NewsDay Weekender denoted double-storey buildings still under construction protruding from the thicket.
The school offers both day and boarding facilities.
“Every child requires quality education, and that was lacking in this area. Hence we thought of establishing a school with quality standards,” said renowned academic, Professor Tapera Mazodza, who is the school’s director.
Mazodza is also the Vice-Chancellor at African Leadership Institute.
“We have 11 primary schools around here and there is only one secondary school which offers A level,” he said.
“Some of the schools are not up to standard. There is a total of four secondary school here against 11 primary schools.
“We are enrolling learners, even those with 36 units, we nurture them for glory, that is us. Our catchment area is big.”
Around the area, only Mahusekwa High School offers Advanced Level classes, leaving learners with the burden of travelling to other areas in search of better learning facilities.
“We are now retaining the local learners. We had our first O and A Level examination classes this year,” Mazodza said.
“Before, some learners had to travel to other areas to enrol for A Level classes as well as seeking better schools, but since we established here, we are retaining quite a number.
“We had to come up with the idea of a school after a thorough research.”
Protama High is surrounded by primary schools such as Chivake, St Nicholas, Rupere and Mureverwi, among others.
Chivake is one of the biggest primary schools in Mahusekwa, Marondera West, producing at least 200 Grade 7 learners each year.
Despite being in a rural set up, Protama High offers transport facilities to day-scholars.
Currently, the school has completed the construction of a chapel, entertainment centre and dining hall that were all octagon shaped.
Some of the boarders travel from as far as Chiredzi and Mutare.
The school offers 10 subjects and currently employs 10 teachers.
The teachers reside at a boarding house near Mahusekwa Growth Point.
“Upon completion of the school infrastructure in two years’ time, we will be enrolling a total of 800 learners,” Mazodza said.
Also under construction is a state-of-the-art laboratory.
From next year, the school will be offering tertiary courses, a move that has elated the villagers.
“This school is part of Zulmea Group of Schools in Harare which offer both academic and tertiary courses,” revealed Mazodza.
“So, we are bringing the same concept here. We are going to establish weekend classes for tertiary courses.
“This means locals will now get what they want in terms of learning at their doorstep.
“For example, one cannot travel to Harare for a Diploma in Hotel and Catering course, we will be having it right here.”
Some of the courses to be offered include Diplomas in Sales and Marketing Intelligence, Emergency Risk and Disaster Management, Transport Management and Logistics and Human Resources Management among many others.
Marondera Rural District Council council chairperson Jeremiah Gwanzura said investors are welcome in the area for the benefit of the local community.
By bridging the gap, between rural and urban education, Protama High School has, indeed, changed the face of education in rural Mahusekwa through establishing modern learning infrastructure and introducing tertiary courses at the heart of a rural area.
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