Government to electrify all Umguza rural schools by year-end

Nqobile Bhebhe in Nyamandlovu

ALL rural schools in Umguza District, Matabeleland North Province, will be electrified by the end of the year as the Government intensifies efforts to improve access to quality education and accelerate rural development, Energy and Power Development Minister July Moyo has said.

Speaking at the switch-on ceremony of Majindane Primary School in Nyamandlovu yesterday, Minister Moyo said the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) was on course to ensure that every school in the district has access to electricity before year-end.

The electrification of Majindane Primary School, which involved the construction of an eight-kilometre power line, marks another milestone under the Rural Electrification Programme, which seeks to bridge the development gap between urban and rural communities.

The ZiG3 million projects were carried out in 50 days.
From January to June, 44 primary schools have been electrified in the district, 14 secondary schools, eight rural health centres and six business centres.

Minister Moyo said major progress had already been recorded, with most schools in the district now connected to the national grid.

“We are on the road to electrifying all schools in Umguza District. To date, 44 schools have been electrified and left 11. Also, 14 secondary schools have been electrified and just two are left. We promise that the targets will be met by year end, we will deliver,” he said.

Minister Moyo commended REA for its commitment and hard work in advancing rural electrification projects across the district and the country.

“As of 15 June this year, 11 414 projects and households have been electrified, bringing comfort, better living conditions and broadening business opportunities to rural entrepreneurs.

“This figure includes 3 256 primary schools, 1 647 secondary schools, 1 086 rural health centres, 497 government extension offices, 311 chiefs’ homesteads, 13 97 business centres among other related projects,” he said.

Minister Moyo said electrifying schools goes beyond powering classrooms as it also improves living conditions for teachers and creates a conducive learning environment.

He stressed the importance of extending electricity connections to teachers’ cottages, saying educators spend most of their time with learners and require comfortable living conditions to effectively carry out their duties.

“A motivated and comfortable teacher is better positioned to impart knowledge and contribute to improved educational outcomes. The Rural Electrification programme has the potential to improve the quality of life in rural areas of Zimbabwe,” said Minister Moyo.

“Many schools are now electrified and connected to Internet services. Teachers who used to shun working in rural areas before their schools were electrified are now happy.”

The Minister also urged communities, through traditional and local leadership structures, to safeguard electricity infrastructure from vandalism and theft.

He said protecting the infrastructure was critical to ensuring that communities continued to benefit from Government investments aimed at transforming rural livelihoods through improved access to energy.

“It is, however, disturbing to note the rampant increase in cases of theft and vandalism on the electricity grid infrastructure, in particular conductors and transformers. I would like to urge the community to ensure that the infrastructure is not vandalised,” said Minister Moyo.

Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Richard Moyo expressed gratitude to the Second Republic for bringing electricity to Majindane, describing the development as a clear demonstration of Government’s commitment to inclusive development and improved livelihoods.

He said the project was transforming the community and positioning it firmly on the path towards Vision 2030.

“We now have power, we saw that there is electricity in the classrooms. I now have to approach ICT Minister to seek for computers,” said Minister Moyo.

He said the electrification project would unlock opportunities in education, business and social development.

Minister Moyo said the development aligns with the aspirations of the Second Republic and Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB 3), which was recently passed by Parliament.

“The development is in line with CAB3 whose bill we passed in Parliament this week, so we say let President Mnangagwa continue leading us. For us as Majindane, we are already in 2030 as we have electricity,” he said.

Minister Moyo said the project is a practical expression of President Mnangagwa’s development philosophy of ensuring that no community is left behind.

He said access to reliable energy remained a critical pillar of socio-economic transformation, particularly in rural communities where electricity opens doors to modern learning, business growth and improved service delivery.

The Minister urged REA to continue expanding its footprint and accelerate power connections in remote parts of the province.

The electrification of Majindane Primary School which has 105 pupils and surrounding areas is expected to improve learning conditions, enhance security and stimulate economic activity in line with the Government’s broader agenda of rural industrialisation, inclusive development and Vision 2030.