Government readies to repair 237 schools damaged by rains

Robin Muchetu, Health and Gender Editor

THE Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is in the finalisation stage of quantifying the value of education infrastructure destroyed in 237 schools across the country that were affected by incessant heavy rains that pounded the country.

The officials have hinted that the ones severely damaged will be repaired first.

The ministry has also put in place measures to ensure that learners who could not attend class because of overflowing rivers can play catch-up.

Director of Communication and Advocacy in the Ministry, Mr Taungana Ndoro, said teams are on the ground carrying out assessments of the damage.

Funds for the planned rehabilitation of the schools will be drawn from the ministry’s budget and this is expected to allow normal lessons to resume as soon as possible in areas where there were disruptions.

“The ministry is currently finalising the bill of quantities for the required repairs. Given the scale, we are adopting a phased approach. Phase one involves emergency repairs to secure structures and prevent further deterioration. Phase two will focus on full rehabilitation and reconstruction.

“Our teams have been deployed nationwide to conduct comprehensive assessments. We are prioritising the categorisation of schools based on the severity of the damage to ensure that resources are directed to the most critical cases first,” he said.

Mr Ndoro said the extent of the damage varies by region, ranging from partial damage such as blown-off roofing, flooded classrooms, to damaged sanitation facilities.

“The Government has since activated the Disaster Risk Management framework and we are reprioritising the ministry’s budget to ensure that funds for these repairs are made available immediately,” he said.

However, the director said schools are not shouldering the burden alone as the parents’ assembly has also shown commitment to repairing some of the damaged infrastructure.

“We are profoundly grateful for the spirit of Ubuntu being exhibited by our communities. There are numerous community initiatives underway. In many districts, School Development Committees (SDCs) have mobilised parents and local businesses to contribute labour, bricks and other locally available materials to assist in the repairs.

The ministry is supporting these initiatives by providing technical oversight to ensure that community-led constructions meet the required safety and structural standards. We encourage these partnerships, as they significantly accelerate the restoration process,” he added.

The ministry wishes to assure the nation that no learner will be disadvantaged due to these natural disasters.

“We are working closely with the Department of Civil Protection to ensure that schools are not only rebuilt but are rebuilt with greater resilience to future climate-induced disasters. We are also conducting a psychosocial support programme for affected learners to address any trauma resulting from the loss of property or displacement,” said Mr Ndoro.

Furthermore, the ministry called on all stakeholders, including the private sector and development partners, to continue supporting the Government’s efforts to restore the right to education for every child.

In the interim, learners from affected schools have not been left idle.

“We have activated our Catch-up Strategy. Where infrastructure has been compromised, we are using existing infrastructure on a rotational basis. We recognise the challenge faced by learners who are marooned by water bodies and unable to physically access their school. To ensure they do not fall behind, we are deploying radio and correspondence learning modules as part of our Catch-up Strategy. The ministry has enhanced use of its e-learning platforms such as learning passport,” he said.

Furthermore, teachers are being directed to establish catch-up schedules and weekend classes once the water levels recede to ensure these learners meet the required competency levels.

CPU Chief Director Mr Nathan Nkomo said continuous education on the dangers of crossing flooded rivers and streams is important, adding that continuous monitoring and updating of rainfall patterns and wind direction are also important. He however, highlighted that poor workmanship affected infrastructure in the recent incident in Gwanda.

“The Civil Protection Committee responded to severe flooding along the Mtshabezi River following a breach at Insindi Dam, where an 80-metre section of the dam wall collapsed, reportedly due to poor workmanship, similar to a failure recorded in 2017.

The 5 000-megalitre dam’s breach caused significant downstream flooding, leading to the main bridge being overwhelmed and leaving both motorists and pedestrians stranded with no safe way to cross.

“Assessments revealed that the primary footbridge had been destroyed and a secondary footbridge at Hamden plots (prison farm) had also been swept away by unprecedented floodwaters, which reached levels not seen in the past decade and submerged nearby gardens,” he said.

The committee also found out that Gwanda’s municipal water pumping station had been completely submerged and inaccessible due to the powerful currents.

According to the latest Situation Report, a total of 8 352 households have been destroyed since the onset of the rainy season, 72 people were injured, there were 138 deaths and 52 health institutions were damaged. – @NyembeziMu.