Hi everyone!
I have just found out (via a Whats App group in Ward 14) that there has just been a change at Pakati Secondary school….
It came as a surprise to me, but Mr Chifaka announced on the Ward 14 group that he is leaving Pakati Secondary school. As soon as I saw it, I contacted him to find out more…
He tells me that he has been promoted from Acting Head at Pakati, to substantive Deputy Head at Macheke High school – a much larger school than Pakati.
Appaarently, the move officially took place on 26th October 2023. I will post a separate blog to follow up by covering the new Head at Pakati – Mr Chizenya – who was Mr Chifaka’s Deputy for over a year.
For now, here is my tribute to Mr Chifaka…
I first met Mr Chifaka in September 2018 when I revisited Pakati Secondary school for the first time since 1992. I spent an afternoon at the school, being shown round by Mr Chifaka and some of the staff.
I noticed a number of new developments at the school since my time there [1989 to 1991), such as several new teachers houses, new Admin block, 2 new classroom blocks for science and for fashion & fabrics, plus an area set aside for building/construction lessons. There was a car park, and new blossoming trees.
I also saw that little had changed in other areas – inside the classrooms, the desks, student numbers, school toilets….but overall the school environment had definitely improved over the years.
Also there is a marked improvement for students by the increased enforcement of the school uniform.
I want to put on record my personal thanks to Mr Chifaka for his very warm welcome in 2018, and his forward thinking on behalf of the school & community – it was his desire for development at Pakati in the form of computers which lead me to set up Friends of Pakati.
Selflessly, right from the start, he insisted that the Primary school was included. He was smart enough to see the long-term advantage of having students in the future coming to the Secondary school with knowledge of IT already. The curriculum in Zimbabwe now requires use & understanding of IT as part of everyday learning.
While there is much to do still to improve things at Pakati, I am proud of what we have achieved so far here at Friends of Pakati. Mr Chifaka has been involved as part of the team by providing support, advice, photos, stories, videos, as well as encouragement. He has brought the staff on board too, many of whom have been content contributors in all aapects of school life. My thanks go to all of the staff for their continued support.
Undoubtedly part of his legacy can be seen in the recent developments – the new IT Suite, and concrete paving around the school.
I am delighted that Mr Chizenya has been given the opportunity to run the school, and I have already congratulated him on the appointment. I am certain we will continue to have support from & give support to the staff, students & community of Pakati schools. More on this key development in the coming weeks!
