admin
Midlands Bureau
Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Owen Ncube on Tuesday commissioned a new school in Kwekwe, Chana-B Primary School, which has already opened its doors to learners.
The school, which comprises two classroom blocks with four classes each and an administration block, is being constructed by Kwekwe City Council using devolution funds.
During a tour of the learning institution by Minister Ncube, Kwekwe Mayor Councillor Albert Zinhanga said the school was constructed to ease pressure from Chana Primary which has more than 2000 learners.
“This school is being constructed using devolution funds as well as revenue collection funds and is meant to reduce pressure from Chana Primary School which is servicing this side of the town alone.
“The catchment of Chana Primary had continued growing given the emergence of new suburbs like Mbizo 14, 21, 22 and 23. So this school will come as a major boost,” Cllr Zinhanga said.
School head, Mrs Shumirai Manamike said the institution already has more than 800 students.
“We have already enrolled more than 800 students who are on a hot sitting arrangement showing that there is a huge need for more schools in Kwekwe.
“We therefore implore responsible authorities to fast-track the construction of more classroom blocks so that our learners can conduct their lessons in a conducive environment,” she said.
Mrs Manamike said shortly, facilities like sports arenas will be prioritised.
“Currently we are using borrowed sporting facilities at nearby Mary Ward Primary, we are glad that some of our students are even doing well without the grounds like in basketball and handball.
“We also intend to use the vast tracts of land at our disposal to have nutrition gardens, start fish and poultry projects so that we can also generate some income and empower ourselves,” she said.
Minister Ncube said the construction of Chana-B Primary School bears testimony to the new dispensation’s listening and people-centric leadership under President Mnangagwa.
“This development demonstrates another critical milestone development by the Second Republic under the visionary leadership of His Excellency the President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa towards modernising the education system in line with SDG Goal number 1 on access to quality education and lifelong learning opportunities and the Second Republic’s desire to bring services closer to the people,” Minister Ncube said.
He also implored the local authority to expedite the construction of more classroom blocks and other facilities.
“I encourage the council to fast-track the construction of more classroom blocks and essential ablution facilities,” he said.
Online Reporter