MARONDERA – In a nation grappling with educational challenges and infrastructural deficits, Waddilove High School, a beacon of academic excellence in Mashonaland East province, has once again defied expectations. The Methodist Church in Zimbabwe (MCZ)-run institution, with a rich history dating back to 1915, has not only maintained its impeccable 100% pass rate at Advanced Level but has also significantly elevated the standard for academic achievement in Zimbabwe.
The recently released 2025 Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (Zimsec) results paint a picture of extraordinary success. A total of 56 learners from Waddilove High School achieved 15 points and above, a slight but notable increase from the 55 who accomplished this feat in the 2024 academic year. However, the true depth of this academic prowess is revealed in the broader statistics: an astounding 149 out of 156 learners secured 10 points or more. The pinnacle of individual achievement saw one exceptional student scoring a remarkable 25 points, while 27 others attained 20 points each – more than double the 10 students who reached this high mark in the preceding year. Further demonstrating the consistent high performance, 23 learners scored 15 points each, and 31 achieved 14 points.
These impressive figures are not merely statistics; they represent a narrative of unwavering dedication, strategic innovation, and a school’s determination to thrive amidst adversity. Yet, behind these celebrated achievements lies a complex reality, as the institution has recently navigated a series of controversies and internal pressures that threaten to cast a shadow over its otherwise stellar reputation.
The school’s Ordinary Level performance mirrored its Advanced Level success, boasting an impressive 98.6% pass rate. Out of 212 candidates, 209 successfully passed five subjects or more, with 108 learners distinguishing themselves by achieving five As or more. Two particularly outstanding students each secured an astonishing 15 As. These results stand in stark contrast to the national O-Level pass rate, which, despite a marginal improvement to 35% in 2025, continues to be a significant concern for the Zimbabwean education system.
Reverend Daniel Muzenda, the MCZ secretary for education and academic, expressed profound satisfaction with the school’s performance.
“We are happy with the refreshing pass rate at Waddilove High School and other MCZ learning institutions,” Muzenda stated. “We attribute the success to both the teaching and non-teaching staff who are working tirelessly for the betterment of the learners.”
Reverend Muzenda also highlighted the crucial role played by parents and the church in fostering this environment of success.
“We also hail the parents and guardians who are paying their school fees timeously enabling school authorities to secure provisions for the learners without any hustle. The church has been playing a role in incentivising the teachers so that we produce quality results. We also thank Glow Petroleum, our partner, for also incentivising high performing teachers. We will make sure that we maintain such academic excellence at Waddilove High School and all the other MCZ schools across the country.”
However, the journey to these remarkable results has not been without its challenges. Investigative inquiries reveal that Waddilove High School has recently been embroiled in allegations that tested the moral integrity of its esteemed Methodist foundation. In 2024, a significant controversy emerged involving Patrick Nyahwo, a 55-year-old award-winning English Literature teacher. Nyahwo was suspended in October 2023 and subsequently appeared before the Marondera Magistrate Court to face charges of indecent assault against a Lower Six female learner.
Despite Nyahwo’s eventual acquittal in February 2024, the incident ignited a broader discussion concerning “work politics” and the paramount importance of learner safety within the confines of prestigious boarding schools. Throughout the year, social media platforms and anonymous communications from “concerned parents” were rife with rumours, alleging that the church was shielding certain staff members. While the MCZ publicly declared itself “unfazed” by these rumours, the underlying tension between the pursuit of academic excellence and the imperative of administrative transparency remains a pressing issue.
Adding to these internal struggles, the school has also had to address the persistent problem of bullying, which gained widespread attention in previous years and necessitated intervention from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. These incidents serve as a poignant reminder that even within the most academically successful environments, the human element can introduce unforeseen complexities and vulnerabilities.
In a proactive move to mitigate the impact of Zimbabwe’s unreliable infrastructure, Waddilove has embraced self-sufficiency. The school recently completed the installation of a substantial 300kW solar power plant. This strategic investment aims to shield learners from the nation’s endemic power outages, ensuring that students, including the members of the school’s vibrant band, “The Soldiers of Heaven,” can continue their studies uninterrupted, even late into the night.
Furthermore, Waddilove High School is at the forefront of an innovative trend gaining traction among leading boarding schools: the implementation of a “poop and cook” biogas system. By converting human waste into energy, the school is not only adopting a more sustainable waste management solution but is also significantly reducing its dependence on costly and often scarce firewood and electricity for its kitchen operations. This pragmatic and resourceful approach to operational challenges is arguably a key, albeit unconventional, factor contributing to the school’s consistent 100% pass rate.
The school’s commitment to academic rigour is particularly evident in the sciences. The 2025 results show that 39 out of 63 learners achieved As in Pure Mathematics, an accomplishment bolstered by the school’s state-of-the-art science laboratory and a library facility widely recognised as one of the best in the province.
Waddilove’s rich heritage is deeply intertwined with the history of Zimbabwe. Established in 1891 as Nenguwo by the Methodist missionary John White, its initial mission was to train preachers. The school was later renamed Waddilove in 1915, honouring Sir Joshua K Wadd, an English philanthropist whose generous donation facilitated its infrastructural development. The school’s distinguished alumni roster includes prominent figures such as the late legal luminary Eddison Zvobgo, Zimbabwe’s first Chief Justice Enock Dumbutshena, and the influential prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa.
Under the leadership of its current principal, Reverend GT Mawire, himself a former MCZ presiding bishop, Waddilove continues to uphold a legacy that balances tradition with contemporary academic achievement. The school choir consistently excels, having secured first position in both the Traditional Percussion and Premier categories at the 2025 Connexional Music competitions held in Gweru. In the realm of sports, the school’s athletics, darts, soccer, chess, and handball teams all demonstrated their competitive spirit by reaching national finals in 2025.
As the 2026 academic year commences, with new Form One learners joining boarding schools across the country, the pressure on Waddilove High School to maintain its exceptional standards is immense. The question that looms large is whether the institution can sustain this “shocking” level of success while navigating the complex currents of administrative scrutiny and the broader economic challenges facing the nation.
The Methodist Church in Zimbabwe remains steadfast in its optimism. With a network of competitive schools including Sandringham, Moleli, and Pakame, the MCZ has cultivated a formidable educational enterprise. Yet, Waddilove stands as its flagship institution. The synergy of church-backed teacher incentives, strategic partnerships with private entities like Glow Petroleum, and an unwavering focus on robust infrastructure collectively suggest that while the school’s results may be surprising to some, they are, in fact, the meticulously planned outcome of a dedicated institution.
In a country where the education system frequently faces criticism for declining standards and resource scarcity, Waddilove High School emerges as a resilient, albeit multifaceted, testament to what can be achieved when historical tradition converges with a forward-thinking, investigative approach to educational excellence. The academic bar has been set exceptionally high; the challenge now lies with the rest of the nation to not only recognise this benchmark but to strive towards it.
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