The call for a balanced approach to child empowerment took centre stage at Mentor Centre’s third annual prize-giving ceremony, where the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Service Commission’s Commissioner, Peddie Mugoba, urged parents and communities to safeguard young people from modern-day social ills.
The colourful event, themed “From Dreams to Reality,” was held at The Nest Hub in Harare and brought together educators, parents, and students to celebrate academic and extracurricular excellence.
Commissioner Mugoba challenged parents to play an active role in their children’s upbringing, warning of the dangers posed by drug and substance abuse, cyberbullying, and the misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
“Parenting in today’s world demands vigilance,” said Mugoba.
“Know who your children spend time with, communicate with their teachers, and provide the support they need.
“Every child deserves guidance and encouragement to navigate this complex world.”
She also called for renewed efforts to empower the boy child, noting that while significant progress had been made in promoting the girl child, many boys were being left behind.
“An empowered girl and an empowered boy create a balanced society. We must equip both to thrive,” she said.
Mentor Centre Managing Director, Mrs Pearmer Tanhara-Maponga, highlighted the school’s holistic approach to education, which focuses on academic excellence, moral grounding, and talent development.
“Every learner has potential,” she said.
“Our role as educators is to unlock that potential and prepare students to be relevant both in Zimbabwe and beyond.”
Mrs Maponga said the school offers diverse programmes, from academics to practical subjects such as Coding and Robotics, Agriculture, Music and Production, Culinary Arts, and Furniture Manufacturing.
Students also participate in a variety of sports, including swimming, rugby, basketball, and chess, as well as driving lessons for senior learners.
She acknowledged, however, that economic challenges continue to affect the school’s growth ambitions.
“We are committed to expanding our facilities and improving access to quality education despite financial constraints,” she said.
Founded in 2016, Mentor Centre began as a small tutorial and home-schooling initiative supporting students with learning difficulties and those seeking accelerated education. It has since grown into a fully-fledged institution guided by Christian principles and Ubuntu values.
The event was also marked by a moving presentation on breast and cervical cancer awareness by student Ruth Mujiazi, who received a standing ovation for her powerful message on health education.
