Deputy Minister spearheads new school construction in Bubi district

HIGHER and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Deputy Minister, Simelisizwe Sibanda, has mobilised resources for the construction of a classroom block and teachers’ cottage for a new secondary school in the Mbembeswana area, Bubi District.

Dep Min Sibanda, who is also the Bubi legislator, said the site for the school was pegged more than a decade ago. However, due to a lack of resources, the project had stalled resulting in local learners travelling for more than 15km to the nearest Siganda Secondary School.

Addressing learners, teachers and villagers at Mangubeni Secondary School on Friday last week, Dep Min Sibanda said the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the school will be held before the end of the term.

He also handed over 20 computers to Siganda Secondary School, his former school

“I have managed to source building material for a single classroom block as well as a teachers’ cottage for Mbembeswana Secondary School, which was pegged more than a decade ago. Before the term ends, we shall have a groundbreaking ceremony for that project,” said Dep Min Sibanda.

Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Mr Simelisizwe Sibanda hands over a donation of 20 laptops to Mangubeni Secondary School headgirl Sibusisiwe Muzapi, while Headmaster Zibusiso Nyoni (right) and Computer Scince Teacher Sanelisiwe Ncube (2nd from right) looks on at Kernelwoth in Bubi District on Friday.

“This is in line with our ministry’s Education 5.0 programme and our children will be the builders.”

Dep Min Sibanda said his upbringing inspired him to better the lives of children in his constituency by bringing schools closer to their homes.

“I did my secondary education at Siganda Secondary School where I used to walk long distances daily. I don’t want my young brothers and sisters to experience that, not when I am still their MP. I walked long distances to attend school,” he said.

There are 17 secondary schools in Bubi district, but only eight are registered while the other nine are annex schools and non-examination centres, which force candidates to walk long distances during examination periods.

The registered schools in the district are Gloag High School, Inyathi High School, Mangubeni Secondary School, Siganda Secondary School, Dabengwa Secondary School, Sijaukwa Secondary School and Somvubu High School.

Last week Chief Mtshane Khumalo said it was worrying that some children were walking long distances to school.

He said constructing more schools, especially in the resettlement areas would help alleviate the challenges such as low enrolment figures.

“Low-cost boarding schools are the best way to go. We have already seen it at Somvubu High School and if more such schools would copy this model, our children will greatly benefit.

“Walking long distances has a whole lot of dangers for the learners, especially the girl child,” said Chief Mtshana.

He said education is a constitutional right for every child.

“There is a minimum distance, which a child must walk to school, which is 5km, but we have children, some as young as 10 or less walking 15km to school resulting in some of them dropping out of school,” said Chief Mtshana.

There are 7 514 and 3 175 primary and secondary schools in the country with Government saying 2 800 more schools are still needed to reduce travelling distance for learners.