Hillside Teacher’s College: An institution par excellence
HILLSIDE Teachers’ College has for years stood head and shoulders above its fellow colleges, producing a high calibre of secondary school teachers.
The Government institution, a leader in teacher education, is the institution of choice for students who wish to be secondary school teachers.
Situated in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second largest city, in Hillside suburb, about six kilometres from the city centre, the college is conveniently positioned for students, close enough to the CBD but far away enough from the rush of the city centre.
Celebrating its 62nd graduation ceremony, the institution has grown to become a giant in teacher education, producing excellence and exceeding expectations.
Under the capable leadership of the principal, Mr Edward Gumpo and his competent deputy, Mr Linda Sibindi, and excellent academic and administrative staff, Hillside Teacher’s College has only grown in leaps and bounds.
Renowned for producing quality and competent teachers, Hillside Teacher’s College has maintained its position as an institution of choice for teacher education.
The college motto is “DISCIMUS UT DOCEAMUS”, meaning “WE LEARN IN ORDER TO TEACH”.
The college has over the years stayed true to its mission, to develop professional, committed, and reflective teachers for the lower and middle secondary schools in Zimbabwe. The college achieves this and more, through appropriate teacher training.
The college is boasting of over six decades of excellence, remains committed to inculcate in students, the values of moral uprightness, empathy, integrity, versatility pride in the teaching profession and patriotism.
We are all products of teachers, therefore it cannot be argued that teachers should be celebrated for their immense contribution in enlightening society by imparting knowledge to future leaders across disciplines.
The college was established in 1956 at Heany Junction and moved to its present site in 1962. It was the first college to be accorded associate status by the University of Zimbabwe and its predecessors. This was done at the inception of the college.
Hillside Teachers’ College is the first Associate College of the University of Zimbabwe and the first college mandated to educate Post A-level pre-service secondary school teachers.
It has pioneered programmes in the education of practical and foreign languages teachers. The College curriculum keeps evolving in response to the needs of the education sector and national goals.
To date, the institution has produced over 25 953 secondary school teachers. The success of the crop of teachers produced by the institution mirrors the success of the country’s inclusive education system which ranks among the best on the continent.
Following the ministry’s thrust towards quality inclusive higher and tertiary education, the institution provides requisite skills for the delivery of goods and services in line with the industrialisation and modernisation agenda, hence producing competent and innovative teachers best suited for the new curriculum.
The principal, in his key note address, highlighted the need for society and industry to acknowledge the immense role of teacher education.
“Teacher education has always been and shall remain the mainstay of our country’s thrust for economic development, the reason for such a position is the clear and obvious fact that all disciplines in the country’s economy depend on the output from the classroom in one way or another,” said Mr Gumpo.
The institution has excelled in academics, sports, extra-curricular activities and has produced teachers who have advanced and become leaders in various disciplines across industry.
Meanwhile, the principal, staff and students would like to thank all organisations, companies and individuals for their invaluable support.
Some of the sponsors were; Agribank, Armtec, Baker’s Inn, Best Books, BR Health Care and Services Relief Pharmacy, Catholic University, CBZ Ltd, Chippys, Colaz, Computer Accessories, Constultus Publishing Services (CPS), DG Patel, Edgars Stores Ltd, Farai Shereni, Farmingville, First Pack, Grain Cash & Carry, Gold Phoenix, Gramsol Books, Construction Company, Graphic Impressions, Identity Access Studio, Lingwe Image Makers, Montana Meats, Mr Banda-M Tech, Mr C N Mpondo, Mrs D Dengu, Nemchem, Nyekile Half Penny One-Penny, OK Mart, Paint and Art, Pick n Pay, Printflow, Professor S D Hove Musekwa, Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), PUMA Electrical, Say What, Topics Stores, Toshiba, Wilgrooves, ZB Bank, Zimta, Zoe Bridal, M & C Engineering and Mr Banda of M Tech also supported the publication of this supplement.