Construction of Globe and Phoenix to begin next term

THE construction of the new Globe and Phoenix Primary School in Kwekwe District is expected to commence anytime next term, following the commitment to release funding for the project by the Government and its partners.

The school was decommissioned last March after some classroom blocks collapsed into underground mining tunnels caused by illegal mining activities, leaving over 1 300 learners stranded.

The learners have been camped at Sally Mugabe Primary School grounds, where they are learning from tents donated by the Civil Protection Unit and Unicef.

After the disaster, which injured some learners, Kuvimba Mining, who took over the mine, donated a piece of land to the school to construct a new school.

Chairperson of the Kwekwe District Civil Protection Unit, Mr Fortune Mpungu, said significant progress has been recorded towards the commencement of construction works.

“We were waiting for building designs from the Ministry of Public Works. Although they delayed in doing them, they are now ready. We are distributing them to potential funders, together with the bill of quantities to facilitate the construction, which is expected to start anytime soon,” said Mr Mpungu who is also the Kwekwe District Development Coordinator.

Late last year, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education announced that they had secured a development partner, The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, who pledged to fund the construction of the school.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Cde Torerai Moyo, who was in Kwekwe recently, said construction is expected to start next term.

“The ministry with its partners is on course to achieving and fulfilling the promise. At the moment, the church is mobilising funds for the construction of the school and I am well-informed that the process is going on well,” he said.

Development partners and ministry officials are expected to tour the new site before the release of funds.

“Although I cannot say the exact times, construction is expected to start very soon, by the second term. There are going to be familiarisation tours by ministry officials as well as the funders, followed by the disbursement of funds,” he added.

“We also have other sponsors like area councillor and businessman, Dr Solomon Matsa who pledged to construct one classroom block. So everything is ordered once the funds are ready.”

Minister Moyo said the church is also scheduled to construct another school in Gokwe North District while the local business community also pledged to assist in the construction of the school ,with parents and guardians raising concern over unpleasant learning environment.