By Admire Chitsungo
Businessman and philanthropist Elder Douglas Kwande has pledged to construct a perimeter fence, an Advanced Level classroom block and hostels for boys and girls at Donain Secondary School following concerns over infrastructure shortages and the long distances some learners travel to school.
Kwande made the pledge during the school’s Career Day held under the theme “My Career, My Priority, My Future.” The event was organised by the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare in partnership with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
The career expo brought together learners from schools across the district, with Government departments, companies, tertiary institutions and other organisations exhibiting information on education, training and career opportunities.
In his keynote address, Kwande, founder of DCK Group of Companies and a partner in ministry at the African Seventh-day Adventist Church (ASDA), said the proposed infrastructure would improve the learning environment and help address challenges faced by learners, particularly those who travel long distances to school.
He also encouraged learners to remain focused on their education and pursue their career goals through hard work, discipline and perseverance.
“The future isn’t something we wait for; it’s something we build. Every assignment we complete, every book we read and every presentation we give forms part of building the future we imagine,” he said.
Kwande urged learners not to allow their backgrounds to limit their ambitions and encouraged them to develop skills that would enable them to create employment opportunities for others.
Donain Secondary School head Spiwe Mandizha welcomed the pledge, saying the proposed projects would improve learning conditions and expand opportunities for learners.
“We appreciate Elder Kwande’s commitment to supporting education. The proposed perimeter fence, A-Level classroom block and boarding facilities will go a long way in improving our school,” she said.
Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare official Nicholas Chamanja said the event demonstrated the value of partnerships between government, schools and the private sector in exposing learners to career opportunities.
He thanked organisations that participated in the exhibition and commended Kwande for supporting education through the infrastructure pledge.
National Association of Secondary Heads (NASH) Mhondoro-Ngezi District chairperson Masceline Zvinavashe said the career guidance programme had provided learners with information to help them make informed career choices.
One of the learners who attended the event, Munashe Phiri of Brompton Secondary School, said interacting with professionals from different sectors had broadened his understanding of available career paths.
The programme concluded with learners visiting exhibition stands where they engaged representatives from government departments, tertiary institutions, companies and other organisations on education, entrepreneurship and employment opportunities.
