MKOBA Teachers College (MTC) in Gweru is transforming itself into a hub of innovation and problem-solving skills as it celebrates 50 years of teacher training, fully aligning with Vision 2030 through its Heritage-based Education 5.0 approach.
Among its notable innovations, MTC has developed mobile sinks that can transform classrooms into laboratories and are also suitable for funerals, churches, and public gatherings. Additionally, the college has created a smart home security system that alerts homeowners to door openings or motion via mobile devices, a work suit with padded shoulders for enhanced safety, and an eco-friendly detergent for pit latrines.
During the college’s 46th graduation and Golden Jubilee ceremony on Friday, MTC Principal Dr. Rosina Mavunga emphasized that the institution is no longer just producing educators, but rather nurturing innovators and problem-solvers who can contribute to national growth.
Higher and Tertiary Education Deputy Minister Simelisizwe Sibanda officiated at the event, themed “Heritage: A Lifetime of Empowerment, Transforming Lives Through Education,” and urged teacher training colleges to become engines of innovation and entrepreneurship, stating that the era of producing graduates who merely seek employment is over.
“Education 5.0 focuses on shifting from producing job seekers to producing job creators. This model empowers graduates to create their own employment opportunities,” he said.
In her report, Dr. Mavunga explained that a focus on heritage is not a static relic but a dynamic force that gives MTC both its roots and inspiration to achieve greater results.
She noted that the college has fully embraced the Heritage-based Education 5.0 philosophy, with both students and staff engaged in producing market-ready innovations.
“At Mkoba Teachers College, we have fostered a culture of creativity and problem-solving among our staff and students as a driver for commercialization,” Dr. Mavunga stated.
She also mentioned that MTC secured orders for the mobile sinks during the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair and has established a workshop for bulk production.
Other innovative projects include a digital mentorship program, an Arduino-based system to enhance digital skills, an automated class register for real-time attendance management, and a campus disaster risk management system utilizing the local area network for instant emergency reporting.
“Our commitment to research and knowledge dissemination is equally noteworthy. Over the past year, our staff and students have published 14 journal articles, 33 book chapters, and six textbooks that offer valuable insights into education. Our lecturers and students actively participate in research conferences, sharing expertise and collaborating with peers both nationally and internationally.”
Dr. Mavunga praised the 679 graduates from three programs: the Diploma in Primary Education (468), which is split into Early Childhood Development (169) and the General Course (299), and the Diploma in Secondary Science Education, which produced 211 graduates.
“This class achieved 458 distinctions—108 in Early Childhood Development, 213 in the General Course, and 137 in Secondary Science,” she noted. “We are not just preparing educators; we are nurturing innovators and problem-solvers who will drive growth in our society as we work towards achieving Vision 2030.”
She also highlighted the college’s expanding role in community development, mentioning that the Gangarabwe Group of Schools is now operational and construction of Ishasha School in Mvuma is set to begin before the year ends.
“This achievement reflects our commitment to community engagement and rural industrialization, both of which are critical elements in achieving the National Development Strategy 2,” she added.
In March 2026, she noted, students mobilized groceries and donated them to an orphan at Vungwi Primary School in Shurugwi as part of the college’s social responsibility program.
Additionally, the college has established a Cultural Hub to preserve and promote Zimbabwean heritage, featuring a replica of a traditional homestead with stonework, chevron designs, and pole-and-mud huts, along with a traditional restaurant currently under construction.
On the topics of equity and inclusion, Dr. Mavunga announced that 87 students have benefited from the college’s Work Study Program over the past three years.
She remarked that the college’s jubilee celebration was a moment to honor the past while looking forward to the future. Dr. Mavunga urged graduates to uphold the college’s values of excellence, creativity, and service as Zimbabwe strives to become an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
