Ponesai Vanhu Technical College
Project Description
Ponesai Vanhu Technical College is a project based on development initiatives which was established in 1980 shortly after Zimbabwe’s independence. They were a lot of disadvantaged youth as a result of the war of liberation.
The idea is to empower youths with skills through hands on approach so that they take part in the development of Zimbabwe. The students acquire general knowledge through training offered in both theory and practical lessons of a chosen craft. The technical skills training seeks to foster a new set of attitudes towards personal empowerment bringing balance between gender and society as a whole.
The training reaches out to the nearby communal areas, schools, clinics, hospitals, Mashonaland Central Province and the Southern Africa Region. Currently the college is offering courses in Horticulture, Business Studies and Motor Mechanics and has boarding facilities for 80 students.
The College strives to produce fearless and innovative youths who are active in practical entrepreneurship and development activities hence contributing to the socio economic development of the country and the SADC region.
Location
The college is located 145 km North East of Harare. It can be reached by road i.e. from Harare via Shamva and Madziva Mine just after Chindunduma Primary School. Alternatively, from Harare via Bindura and Madziva Township, then turn right at Goora junction to Shamva. There is a good road network up to the college.
Project Activities
Courses
Vocational training centre offers three main courses with the objective of equipping students with the skills that are on demand on the job market. The main thrust is to see students in a position to run their own indigenous small to medium businesses.
The courses on offered are:
Business Studies
The course has five subjects which are Introduction to Techniques, Business English, Business Methods, Introduction to Economics and Basic Accounting. During this period the students in Business Studies have been able to do stock taking, bank reconciliation, drawing up of business plans and how the Zimbabwe stock exchange operates.
Motor Mechanics
The course comprises of theory and practice. This involves car maintenance, Chassis and Auto Systems.
Students can now dismantle a car engine and repair any part that is not functioning well. Students have also acquired wheel aligning skills and learnt the importance of shock absorbers in a car.
Horticulture
The course has 10 subjects that are Crop Protection, Amenity Horticulture, Entrepreneurship, National Strategic Studies, Crop Production, Morphology, Introduction to Computers, Engineering Horticulture, Principles of Horticulture and Horticulture Administration and Business. Horticulture students have acquired knowledge and skills in how to protect crops so as to yield higher production. Students have gained basic skills in using a computer and are able to produce some tasks using the computer.
The students taking these courses are examined by a National recognized examination body eg HEXCO & IBAS (International board),
Enrolment Requirements
Department of Business Studies (IBAS)
Certificate level -At least 3 “O” Level Subjects
Diploma Level – 5 “O” level Subjects (Including English, Maths or Accounts)
Horticulture Department (HEXCO)
National Foundation Certificate Level: At least 3 O Level subjects
National Certificate -5 “O” level subjects including English and Maths.
Motor Mechanics(HEXCO)
National Foundation Certificate-3 “O”level subjects.
Other Activities
Boarding Life
Boarding students enjoy cleaning their dormitories in turns. Every weekend they do inspection competitions at the college. Such actions inspire all students to keep their rooms clean and maintaining the standards. Students have areas of responsibilities to take care of. Areas are attended to every morning before lessons. Cleaning actions and building weekends are conducted to equip students with different skills like painting, construction and other actions besides the courses they do.
Reaching Out Activities
Such activities are done to meet people from community who can act as role model.
Students participate individually or as a team to develop leadership skills and establish friendship.
Students are engaged in health campaigns to solve big questions
All action steps are meaningful to personal development of the youths.
Hope Club
Students enjoy Hope club and learn more about HIV and AIDS.
Lessons are conducted every Fridays by one member of teacher council. Topics on what HIV and Aids stand for, opportunistic infections, causes of the disease, prevention measures, signs and symptoms, treatment and nutrition are some of the topics to be covered. Students get chance counseling and get tested by an invited partner PSI to know their status and plan their future very well.
Sport and Culture
The community and other schools come to the college for sports. The activities are done at ward level to District level where students gain and share experiences with the community at large. Different cultures are presented through clubs at the college. Variety shows are done once a month with other colleges around.
Stakeholders
- Planet Aid, USA
- Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education
- District Aids Action Committee
- S.O.S
- National Aids Council
- Parents / Guardians
- Other Potential Partners