Chronicle Editor
Johnsias Mutonhori, Midlands Correspondent
THE Second Republic has been working hard to bridge the infrastructure and technology gap between rural schools and their urban counterparts through a deliberate policy of modernising rural schools, an official has said.
The technological divide between schools in rural and urban areas has restricted learners from rural areas from taking academic courses in sciences, shattering many dreams.
In a speech, read on his behalf by the Permanent Secretary Dr Edgar Seenza, during the tour of a laboratory and an administration block under construction at Simchembu Secondary School in Gokwe North last Wednesday, funded through the Air Force of Zimbabwe Charity Fund, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in the Midlands Province Honourable Owen Ncube said education institutions were key knowledge apparatus that unravel the latent talent in children for the development of the nation.
“Education is the key to unlocking the potential of our youth and ensuring the sustainable development of our nation. Therefore, the Government through the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has been working to ensure that all learners both in rural and urban schools have the opportunity to explore all disciplines including Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Heritage Studies,” he said.
He lamented the previous lack of facilities bolstered with technology in rural schools that he said was hindering many students to adapt to ever-changing economic environments that have, lately, hinged on technological innovations.
“Education 5.0 seeks to enhance and produce graduates fit for the world of work in line with knowledge-driven economic growth, and the Second Republic is committed to accelerating infrastructure development in marginalised areas to ensure rural areas enjoy the same modern services that are available in urban areas through the implementation of devolution.”
Minister Ncube called for a haste completion of the classroom blocks while appealing to corporates and other Government arms to imitate the gesture that has been shown by the Air Force of Zimbabwe for the development of the country.
“Allow me to applaud the sterling work done by the Air Force of Zimbabwe artisans, assisted by the local community for the progress so far achieved towards the construction of the administration block with a strongroom and laboratory which are requirements to register the school as an examination centre. We need to move with speed to ensure the quick completion of all work and I would like to appeal to corporates and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to ensure Simchembu becomes a model school with modern structures commensurate with an upper middle-income economy status,” he said.
Speaking at the same occasion, Commander Air Force of Zimbabwe, Air Marshal Elson Moyo said, the construction of education facilities would go a long way in improving education standards in the countryside, highlighting that, it was everyone’s responsibility to partake in the development of the marginalised communities.
“I understand that the completion of this project will alleviate the challenges that the local population had in improving the standards of education, especially in science and information technology subjects as well as the working convenience of the school staff. The true empowering status of education is not observed by those who have degrees alone but it is rather those who turn back and remember that generations to come require better education today as evidenced by the partnership between the Simchembo community and the Commander Air Force of Zimbabwe Charity Fund,” he said.
The construction of education facilities started in 2020, but progress was heavily hindered by the Covid-19 pandemic. The project is now at 60 percent and is expected to be handed over this year.
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