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Patrick Chitumba, [email protected]
FIVE new schools have been constructed while over 100 have been rehabilitated in the Midlands province since December 2018 as the Second Republic continues to walk the talk in its development agenda.
Government under the stewardship of President Mnangagwa has been investing in education among other sectors as part of the drive to steer Zimbabwe towards attaining an upper middle-income society by 2030.
The schools were constructed by local authorities using devolution funds which have assisted councils to fulfil their obligation of providing social amenities.
Secretary for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr Abiot Maronge, said the Second Republic has achieved outstanding milestones that continue to improve the lives of ordinary Zimbabweans.
“Five new schools have been constructed while over 100 have been improved by constructing new classroom blocks and teachers’ houses since December 2018,” he said.
Mr Maronge said some of the new schools that have been built using devolution funds in the province include Zhaugwe Primary School in Shurugwi district, Nyaradza Primary School in Gokwe South, Nyamuroro, Budiriro and Mtora Primary schools in Gokwe North.
He said Mtora Primary School which has an enrolment of 335 pupils used to be accommodated at the Gokwe Community Centre which is a council-owned building.
Mr Maronge said the school needed proper infrastructure and furniture to ensure a conducive learning environment.
“Two classroom blocks have since been constructed at the new school and more work needs to be done,” he said.
Mr Maronge said 27 science laboratories were constructed at different schools across the province while 48 schools had additional teachers’ houses constructed.
“The ongoing projects include the construction of 86 classroom blocks, 56 houses for teachers and 27 administration blocks at different schools,” he said.
Mr Maronge said Gweru City is the home of the Midlands State University (MSU) Innovation Hub and Industrial Park inline with Education 5.0 .
Education 5.0 emphasis teaching, research, community engagement, innovation and industrialisation anchored by a new heritage-based philosophy.
“At the MSU Language Centre, books and Government documents can now be translated into 16 approved official vernacular languages. At the industrial park, they are making garments, water and fruit juice production,” said Mr Maronge.
The MSU has set up strategic business units such as its agro-processing unit, coal tar processing plant, the MSU Enterprise Unit, the MSU National Language Institute and the National Pathology, Research and Diagnostics Centre.
“A total of 17 ICT centres were established in the province and over 120 schools now have access to ICTs,’’ said Mr Maronge.
Mr Maronge said base stations were set up at Mapfungautsi in Gokwe South, Lalapanzi near Gweru and in Zvishavane.
Online Reporter