By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
At the heart of Beitbridge, Beitbridge Mission Primary School is quietly transforming lives through its strong commitment to inclusive education.
The school accommodates 1,222 learners and stands as the only primary school in the district that fully integrates children with special needs into its learning system.
Currently, 65 learners with special needs are enrolled at the school, with 20 places reserved at its boarding facility now housing 18 learners.
Speaking during the event, Headmistress Monica Ndlovu said the institution caters for a wide range of learners with different conditions.
“We have 65 primary learners with special needs some are deaf, some blind, others physically disabled, and some who require specialised learning support. Our teachers are well trained to handle these needs,” she said.
She said the boarding facility was designed to provide a safe and supportive environment for vulnerable learners living with disabilities.
“Our boarding facility was built to accommodate 20 learners, and currently we have 18. We also follow the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education policy which mandates Guidance and Counselling in schools to provide psychosocial support. We have trained staff to deliver this support because of our mandate of leaving no child behind,” she added.
Ndlovu said the school has already begun implementing the Heritage-Based Curriculum, introduced last year, expressing confidence that it will further improve academic performance. The school has consistently maintained a pass rate of 80 percent and above.
However, she noted that the school faces infrastructure challenges, particularly a shortage of classrooms, which has forced some classes to alternate learning spaces.
“We are currently constructing a double-storey classroom block, now about 75 percent complete, which we hope will solve our space challenges and improve the learning environment for all our pupils,” she said.
Beitbridge Mission Primary continues to stand out as a model of inclusive education, proving that with trained staff, proper support systems, and commitment, every child can be given a fair chance to succeed.