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Blessings Chidakwa recently in Hurungwe
Government requires at least $9 billion to build new schools to clear the deficit of primary and secondary schools countrywide, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Professor Paul Mavima has said. Speaking after visiting Tavoy Secondary School in Hurungwe District last week, Professor Mavima said Government needs between three to five years to raise the funds.
Zimbabwe needs at least 2 000 new schools to cover the deficit while Government has already completed feasibility studies for the construction of 100 schools.
Minister Mavima was in Mashonaland West assessing progress on four new schools being constructed by Government in Hurungwe.
The four are part of the 17 satellite schools being constructed using the $20 million availed by the OPEC Fund for International Development.
“To cover the entire infrastructure gap including the new schools, upgrading of facilities such as new laboratories, tech-vocational facilities as well as sporting facilities we need about $9,1 billion over the next three to five years,” Professor Mavima said.
“We did the mapping of schools in 2013 there have been efforts either by Government through public private partnerships or the communities themselves in building some of the schools.
So we are still thinking maybe around plus or minus 2 000 schools, which requires $9,1 billion.”
Professor Mavhima said Government had also earmarked an immediate project for the construction of about 100 schools countrywide.
“In a few days we are going to hold a conference where we are going to meet with potential investors as well as loan funders so that we can extend the programme.
“We have done 100 sites in terms of feasibility studies. As soon as we get the money we will then start the construction of the schools, which will be spread across the country depending on need,” he said.
He said Mashonaland West was among the most affected in terms of schools deficit.
“Mashonaland West is one of the most needy provinces in the country because it was affected so much by the land reform programme.
“Many families came into this province in areas which were commercial farming areas. Out of the 17 schools we are building countrywide four are from this province.”
Government has built two state-of-the-art schools in Hatcliffe and Lupane, which would be used as models for the new schools to be established across Zimbabwe.
Online Reporter