By Byron Mutingwende
While many infant and junior schools emphasise on academic education, Good Care Pre-school and David Mascott country School have a different approaching in moulding children.
A fortnight ago, the David Mascott Sports and Wellness Tournament opened the eyes of many parents on the importance of preparing children in co-curricular activities like tennis, soccer, squash, hockey, athletics, rugby, chess netball and agriculture.
Speaking to Spiked Online Media after the tournament, Mrs Rutendo Chinzara, a parent of a child at David Mascott Country School, expressed her happiness to the school for remaining honest to retaining a teacher-pupil ratio of 1:25.
“My expectation as a parent is for the teacher to have ample time with my child so as to identify and develop her strengths. If the teacher identifies any weaknesses, s/he would be able work on them and put corrective solutions. I am happy because at David Mascott this is possible because they have a moderate teacher-pupil ratio of 1:25.
“Yesterday (Friday 13 July 2018), there was a consultation day at the school. I was happy about my child’s educational development because I realised that she is acquiring gardening and athletic skills at a tender age. At the same time, my child’s academic grades are excellent. What I knew was that my child is a natural athlete but wasn’t aware of her gardening skills. I will make sure I will give her a portion to grow a variety of vegetables on her own at home,” Mrs Chinzara said.
Patience Moyo, another parent of a child at the same school said she was excited about the fact that her child was now able to use a computer only two years after enrolling her.
“I realised during the consultation day that my child is now able to write a composition and draw excellent pictures using a computer. She knows how to store and open files kept on a computer at a tender age of 10,” Moyo said.
Mrs Muvhimi and Mrs Furira were quoted by popular radio station StarFM saying they were impressed by the transport system at the school.
“We stay in various parts of Norton but due to the efficient transport system at the school, our children are always punctual and start lessons at exactly half past seven in the morning from Monday to Friday. Despite the efficiency, the bus fares are very affordable,” said Mrs Muvhimi.
Mrs Guritra who has another child at Good Care Pre-school hailed the fact that the infants have a separate bus that ferry them to school at a later time especially in this cold weather.