Online Reporter
Victor Maphosa
Mashonaland East Bureau
PRIMARY and Secondary Education Minister Dr Torerai Moyo has recognised the church as a key partner and player in the development of the nation, especially in the education sector, by addressing the shortage of schools.
This follows the construction of a state-of-the-art Runyararo Peace Primary School in Caledonia by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The school, which has five blocks with two classrooms each, was commissioned by Minister Moyo recently, in the presence of thousands of Caledonia residents.
Already, more than 700 learners have enrolled at the first Government primary school in the area.
In his address, Minister Moyo extended his gratitude to the church for the gesture.
“As we gather to celebrate this significant milestone in the Caledonia community, allow me to extend my heartfelt gratitude for the great contribution made by the Church of Latter-day Saints, who partnered with the Government of Zimbabwe by funding the construction of the school,” he said.
“Your commitment to improving access and quality education for the Caledonia community is truly inspiring.
“The Government remains committed to creating an environment that fosters learning, innovation and creativity in line with the dictates of the Heritage Based Curriculum and it is heart-warming when the church, a key stakeholder in the provision of holistic education that emphasises the development of a whole person- intellectually, spiritually, comes on board in improving service delivery for your surrounding community.
“The Government salute you for your work, which is not just limited to this school but is spread across the whole of Goromonzi District. Thank you.”.
He said the continuous improvement of schools’ infrastructure to meet modern standards, as witnessed at the school, is key to creating conducive learning environments that spark curiosity and provide platforms that produce skilled and knowledgeable students with the capacity to thrive in the global competitive world.
“In this digital era. I want to emphasise the importance of integrating the teaching of information and communication technology into our education system to enhance digital literacy, which is a fundamental tool for learning, teaching, innovation and global competitiveness,” he said.
“I want to reiterate the critical role our schools play in protecting our children from the dangers of drug abuse. The current enrolment of 749 pupils at the first Government school in Caledonia is impressive and I urge the school authorities to foster a culture of care and a nurturing environment for our young minds to grow and remain in the school to explore all possibilities.
“I want to challenge students, the school leadership, parents and the whole Caledonia community by saying the ball is in your court to maximise the opportunity presented to you and use it in fostering growth not only for this community but for the rest of Zimbabwe.
“Let us embrace this new chapter with zeal, enthusiasm and stand together to ensure the infrastructure development continues until all students and staff are well accommodated.”
In his remarks, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland East Advocate Itayi Ndudzo also reiterated the importance of access to education by all..
“Today, we are not only opening a school, but we are unlocking a bright future for our children. We are witnessing the tangible fruits of a powerful partnership between the church and the Government,” he said.
“On behalf of Mashonaland East province, I extend our deepest appreciation to our valued, esteemed partners, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their extraordinary generosity extends far beyond bricks and mortar. These modern spaces provide a serene environment for learning.”
