adminThupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
Government and its partners have been urged to invest in the development of more schools in Beitbridge East constituency to augment perennial shortages. Beitbridge District Administrator Mrs Kiliboni Ndou-Mbedzi said there was a serious shortage of secondary schools in the eastern parts of the district.
She said the unavailability of schools has resulted in a high number of dropouts, especially from primary to secondary (school) level.
It further states that the proportion of women failing to have at least four ante-natal visits during their last pregnancy was relatively low.
“We are calling on Government and development agencies to assist with the construction of secondary schools in Beitbridge East constituency,” said Mrs Ndou-Mbedzi.
“You will note that we only have three secondary schools in that area. In addition, we are also short of about three primary schools in the town. There are children who go to schools in the peri-urban areas because of overpopulation in local town schools.
“There are suburbs in Beitbridge town without council or Government primary schools like Ward 6. This area has the biggest population, but has no primary school.”
Mrs Ndou-Mbedzi said it was sad that the whole district had no institutions of higher learning.
Students are travelling to other towns including Bulawayo, Gweru, Masvingo, Mutare or Harare and South Africa to access higher education facilities.
The Herald understands that the shortage of secondary schools has resulted in a spike in bush boarding (a situation where children seek accommodation closer to secondary schools).
The calls come a few weeks after the area’s legislator (Beitbridge East) Cde Albert Nguluvhe donated 100 bags of cement for the construction of one classroom block and a teachers’ cottage at Elangeni Secondary School (Ward 5), some 35km along the Beitbridge- Masvingo road.
He said the donation was part of his electoral promises to the Tshapfuche community and that it was important for politicians to partner with people in championing development.
Cde Nguluvhe said the new classroom block will be dedicated to teaching of Science subjects.
“This is in line with the Government’s thrust under the stewardship of President Mnangagwa to promote the teaching of STEM subjects and innovation in all schools to restore national pride in the education sector,” he said.
Online Reporter