Fairness Moyana in Binga
KAPALE Primary School in Binga District has received major infrastructure upgrade worth €210 000 covering construction of new classroom facilities, teachers’ accommodation, solar-powered water supplies and a computer laboratory.
The project, funded through a partnership involving the Government of Zimbabwe, ActionAid and its development partners, was officially commissioned on Thursday by Primary and Secondary Education Permanent Secretary, Mr Moses Mhike, and is expected to improve learning for pupils in the remote community.
Binga North Member of Parliament Cde Fanuel Chumanzala, Chief Sinamagonde and other stakeholders from Government, local authorities and the community also witnessed the event.
In his remarks, Mr Mhike said every child deserved access to quality education regardless of geographical location.
“Every child deserves access to quality, inclusive and relevant education in a safe, supportive and enabling environment,” he said.
Mr Mhike also said the computer laboratory would help pupils develop digital skills, learn coding and conduct research, supporting the implementation of the Heritage-Based Curriculum.
The school, established in 2012, previously operated as a satellite of Gwangaliba Primary School. The upgrade project has delivered new classroom facilities, an early childhood development centre, refurbished classrooms, teachers’ accommodation and girl-friendly and disability-inclusive toilets.
The school also received 20 desktop computers, furniture, a 20-kilovolt-ampere solar power system, a solar-powered borehole and a fenced one-hectare garden. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education provided a Starlink kit to support internet connectivity.
According to EduPro, an e-learning services consultant, the computers are equipped with the
Learning Passport and EduPro Study Room, which provide learning materials and examination preparation resources.
Edupro director, Mr Timothy Shava said the Learning Passport, developed by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and UNICEF, contains free academic syllabus content, while the Edupro Study Room provides past examination papers, tests and quizzes that learners can access offline.
“The Edupro Study Room contains past exam papers or tests and quizzes. It works offline. A learner with a device can easily access the exam papers for viewing later without the need for data or an internet connection,” said Mr Shava.
“These are digital tools that promote inclusivity regardless of geographical location because the examination board sets the same exam for every learner.”
ActionAid Zimbabwe country director, Dr Selina Chipo Pasirayi said the initiative grew from concerns raised by children and the community through the organisation’s child sponsorship programme in 2023.
“This is not a gift imposed upon a community. It is an achievement built through partnership and local ownership,” she said.
Dr Pasirayi said the project’s long-term success would depend on maintaining the facilities and ensuring teachers and pupils benefited from them. Chief Sinamagonde welcomed the development saying this would go a long way in bridging the digital divide that was bedeviling rural school.
“This development is important to us as the community in that it speaks to what the President always says of leaving no-one and no place behind. Historically, this district has been lagging behind in terms of infrastructure development so this imitative is a huge boast not only tom the learners but the entire community,” he said.
A local villager, Ms Betina Muleya, also applauded the development saying this will go a long way in improving the learners’ experience in the technological sphere.
Meanwhile School head, Mr Naison Mwinde said the improvements had strengthened the school’s capacity to accommodate learners. School figures indicate an enrolment of 330 pupils, although the supplied breakdown adds up to 339. The project is expected to improve access to inclusive education, water, sanitation and digital learning in one of Binga’s remote communities.
