adminNqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
THE Roman Catholic Church has started constructing two primary schools in Matabeleland North at a cost of about $800 000.
The project is part of the church’s quest to make education accessible in rural areas.
Lupane and Nkayi districts will benefit from the project, which is also aimed at complementing the Government’s programme of building more schools in the country.
The Government recently revealed that the country has a deficit of about 2 000 schools and it needs partners to construct them.
Roman Catholic Church Archbishop of Bulawayo, Alex Thomas told The Chronicle that the church was building schools following pleas from locals that long distances of up to 20 kilometres travelled by pupils to school were making education inaccessible.
“At the moment we’re constructing a school in Lupane and we’re going to be building another one in Nkayi. Both are primary schools. We’re responding to requests from communities,” said Father Thomas.
He said the church has sought funds from its partners both locally and externally.
“We’re trying to get some funds. It depends on the availability of funds. Each school costs around $400 000. The funds are coming in batches,” he said.
Father Thomas urged other churches to be involved in developmental projects saying access to education remains a priority for the country.
He said in Matabeleland, the church was focused on developing Matabeleland North as it has already built many schools in Matabeleland South.
In an interview recently, the Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Professor Paul Mavhima said the Government in 2017 will intensify its partnership with the private sector to build schools.
This came following revelations that the Government has secured $20 million for the construction of 20 primary and secondary schools countrywide.
@nqotshili
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