Aisleby School gets half-a-million dollar boost

THEMBALEZIZWE Trust (TLZ), a private organisation, has proposed a partnership with Bulawayo City Council (BCC) involving a US$500 000 injection for the rehabilitation of Aisleby Primary School.

The peri-urban school, located on the outskirts of Bulawayo and run by the council, has been one of the worst-performing schools under BCC ownership due to poor infrastructure, high teacher turnover, and other challenges.

In the 2023 Grade Seven examinations, the school recorded a dismal three percent pass rate, while in 2024, this improved slightly to 10, 26 percent.

In its latest full council report, the Finance and Development Committee noted that TLZ has pledged US$500 000 towards improvements and requested BCC to match their contribution.

“Some of the challenges at Aisleby, in particular, stem from outdated and dilapidated infrastructure, including the sewer system, a lack of teacher accommodation leading to high staff turnover, and insufficient teaching and learning materials. The school is remotely located, making access difficult for teachers due to transport challenges,” reads the report.

The department acknowledged the long-standing difficulties and the limited resources available to address them.

TLZ expressed its willingness to partner with BCC to find solutions to these challenges.

“Thembalezizwe Trust seeks to establish a long-term plan and secure a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to initiate the proposed works. Among their expectations is a request for council to match their funding dollar for dollar. They aim to invest US$500 000 over five years (US$100 000 per year) and hope that Council will commit an equivalent amount,” the report states.

The school is situated in the vicinity of Hope for the Nations, the Trust’s founding church.

Previously, the organisation attempted to drill a borehole at the school, but the effort resulted in a dry hole.

“The Housing and Community Services Department has held several meetings to discuss the proposal. TLZ’s plans include solarisation of the school, installation of solar-powered boreholes, securing teachers’ cottages, renovating or constructing staff accommodation, setting up an ICT lab and internet access, and introducing water-smart toilets,” the report further outlines.

According to the minutes, “It was agreed that Council, through an annexure, would streamline plans to develop the Aisleby farm school. These initiatives could serve as Council’s contribution to the project, alongside other existing resource investments, including labour, technical expertise, and other expenses incurred during implementation.”

The department expressed its desire for the project proposal to be accepted and an MoU signed with Thembalezizwe

Trust to ensure that Aisleby Primary School and its learners benefit from the partnership.

If the partnership is approved, it will help address the persistent challenges affecting the school, which have contributed to its poor academic performance.

“The Committee considered the matter, and Councillor A R Moyo commended Thembalezizwe Trust (TLZ) for collaborating with Council. The Trust has assisted many schools, and Aisleby Primary School stands to benefit significantly. Additionally, the Trust has proposed constructing a Vocational Training Centre adjacent to the school,” the minutes reveal.

The Health, Housing and Education Committee recommended that BCC accept TLZ’s proposal to assist in refurbishing Aisleby Primary School and enter into a negotiated MoU for the partnership.