THE Methodist Church in Zimbabwe (MCZ)-run, Waddilove High School in Marondera, Mashonaland East province, was recently honoured by government as one of the best schools in the country following its consistency in academic excellence.
The school, located on the outskirts of the farming town, has been maintaining a 100% pass rate in the both Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (Zimsec) Ordinary and Advanced Level results.
The learning institution recently won three awards at a colourful ceremony held at Harare International Conference Centre and presided over by Vice-President Kembo Mohadi, the guest of honour of the day.
The institution’s accolades and certificates were received by the school head, Charles Gwenda.
The awards were being hosted by the Primary and Secondary Education ministry.
The three awards included Best Ordinary Level School National Award, Best Special Needs Education Ordinary Level School Award and Best Ordinary Level School (provincial level).
As an inclusive school, all learners who are visually impaired who sat for the 2025 O Level examination passed with flying colours.
Waddilove High School secured a 98,6% in the 2025 Zimsec O Level results after 209 of the 212 passed five subjects and above.
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A total of 108 has five As in O Level subjects and above.
About 37 learners scored 10As and above in the 2025 Zimsec O Level examinations.
Two of the learners scored big after obtaining 15 As in O Level subjects.
MCZ secretary for education and academic Reverend Daniel Muzenda said the national recognition is a great honour to both the school and MCZ.
“This is a great honour from government and we are happy as a church when government acknowledges such excellent performance,” he said.
“This honour is attributed to hard work by the school management, teaching and non-teaching staff and support from the church as the responsible authority.
“Also as MCZ schools, our moto is a beacon of excellence.”
The Primary and Secondary Education ministry did not base the awards on percentages, but on quality results.
It adopted a qualitative approach, celebrating and applauding quality results.
Waddilove High School has been attributing its academic success to dedicated teaching staff and other stakeholders.
The institution also boasts a 300kW solar power plant to ensure consistent studying by learners due to availability of power as well as the availability of a top drawer library facility in the whole province.
The school also has a state-of-the-art science laboratory.
Quality results at this esteemed school are also a result of a rigorous and well supervised study programme that starts from 6pm and ends at 10pm daily, enhancing concentration and allowing learners to set achievable goals.
The story will not be complete without acknowledging the leadership for creating an atmosphere that allows learners to vividly illuminate with pride their school’s sense of identity, in tandem with vision of the Primary and Secondary Education ministry and of the responsible authority, the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe.
Established in 1915, some of the luminaries that came out of the school are veteran nationalists such as the late astute lawyer and politician Edison Zvobgo, first Chief Justice in independent Zimbabwe Enock Dumbutshena, Advocate Pearson Nherera, former Finance minister Herbert Murerwa, former Defence minister Sydney Sekeramayi, former warriors coach Charles Mhlauri and the esteemed United Family International Church founder and leader Emmanuel Makandiwa.
Another luminary is the former MCZ presiding bishop, Reverend GT Mawire, who is now the incumbent principal at Waddilove High School.
The school started as a training institute established by the Methodist Missionary John White in January 1891 and it was called Nenguwo.
Its objectives were to give the students biblical and theological knowledge to make them fit to be preachers.
Later in 1915, the missionaries decided to expand the institution by making a boarding school.
Sir Joshua K Wadd, an English missionary and philanthropist visited Reverend John White and decided to assist the school, after which he donated money for infrastructural development.
In his honour, the school was renamed Waddilove — as it was because of the love of Wadd that gave birth to the school-an MCZ institution.
