Elite primary school opens its doors
A NEW elite institution has opened its doors to the public starting this term, becoming the first state-of-the-art primary school in Kadoma.
Makseth International School will offer boarding facilities from early childhood development (ECD) to Grade 7 for both local and foreign students and enrolment is currently in progress.
Pupils will sit for both the Zimbabwe Schools Examinations Council (Zimsec) and Cambridge Assessment International Education examinations at highschool.
Perched on the tranquil, Blue Ranges Mountain with good scenic views of the mining town, construction of the school, just 4km from the Kadoma CBD, is nearing completion and ready to accommodate leaners.
Part of its distinct infrastructure is the soccer pitch with an artificial turf that was used for training at the December 2022 World Cup in Doha, Qatar, where renowned players from Argentina, France, England, Senegal, Croatia and Portugal utilised the turf as a small side game training field at Stadium 974 during the last edition of the World Cup.
“We obtained the turf through the 2022 World Cup Auction in Doha, and it spans an impressive 2 000 square meters. Originally, it was used as an off-field training area at Stadium 974, where esteemed football players such as Lionel Messi and Mbappe held their training sessions,” the school administrator Talent Bako said.
The school sports director, Shawn Gathry is a holder of a degree in sports administration and qualified Scottish Football Association coaching licence. He is also a member of the PSG soccer academy in Dubai.
The school has erected floodlights to allow learners to train at night and prepare them for international matches.
It also boasts of a culture centre for learners to appreciate their culture, apart from a massive play centre with modern equipment for games.
Bako said what will make the school unique is its ability to deliver a superb and life changing educational journey for students, unearthing their strengths, developing their resilience to life challenges as well as promoting social-emotional and academic growth.
The schools vision, he said, is to be the hallmark of quality education and elite extracurricular activities for students, apart from fore fronting an internationally accredited curriculum.
“We teach, empower and inspire our students to reach deep within themselves, unlocking their full potential and God given abilities,” Bako said.
“From experience, we know that students will thrive in an environment where they feel appreciated and cared for, we have developed an effective supportive learning system.”
The school will enroll between 15 and 20 pupils per class for a health 1:3 student-teacher ratio that ensures pupils are given adequate individual attention.
“We deliver teaching in a concise, fun, engaging and structured manner that is activity-based and centres on the learner’s mind. Our methods are modern,” Bako said.
“Our focus is shifted away from the teacher and traditional teaching and projected to students, encouraging visualisation, imagination, and thinking.”
Bako said they were also constructing an Innovation Hub at the school and it will feature a library, a computer lab, and an experimental area that is tailor-made to spark curiosity and exploration in the fields of engineering and science.