dyton mupawaenda
Conrad Mupesa–Mashonaland West Bureau
The Second Republic has procured 40 borehole drilling rigs that will benefit over 10 000 schools countrywide as it moves a gear up in availing potable water and nutritional meals to learners, Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Dr Torerai Moyo has said.
Speaking recently at Chiedza Zimcor Primary School in Zvimba, during the national commemoration of the 9th Edition of African Day of School Feeding, which coincided with the launch of Zimbabwe Food Safety Standards and Practical Food Handlers Guide, Dr Moyo said the rigs were part of Government’s move towards supporting the feeding scheme.
The move also seeks to combat the negative and harsh effects posed to communities by ever-changing weather patterns.
With Zimbabwe facing the El-Nino-induced drought this year, learners particularly those at the primary school level are at risk of suffering from malnutrition.
“Just last week, the Government procured 40 drilling rigs which will be used solely for the drilling of boreholes for 10 500 schools in Zimbabwe. The borehole rigs have the potential to drill as dip as 450 metres, this is going to see even schools in dry areas having boreholes that will not only provide drinking but water for gardening projects.
“At every school in Zimbabwe, a borehole will be drilled and we will make sure that there is running water,” he said.
Minister Moyo said Government will provide drip irrigation equipment to enable horticulture farming.
“Food is a basic necessity of life as espoused by American psychologist Abraham Maslow. If we don’t provide food to our learners, that will affect in a negative way the pass rate. Hence to improve the pass rate at school there should be availability of nutritious food to the learners.
“It is through embracing the School Feeding Programme that Zimbabwe can attain Sustainable Development Goal Number 4, which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
“This is made easier when the learner is well-nourished. The just-ended African Union Heads of States Summit declared this year as the year of African Education and fully embraced this declaration, there is a need for cooperation from the education stakeholders,” he noted.
Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Marian Chombo commended schools in the province for rolling out income-generating projects that, apart from generating income, were helping in feeding pupils.
Learners, parents, and development partners have lauded the Government for ensuring that the school feeding programme is a success.
World Food Programme’s representative, Ms Zuzana Kazdova, commended Government for allocating a budget exclusively for the provision of school meals.
She said it was helping in realising a steadfast dedication to the well-being and education of the youth while the Education Coalition of Zimbabwe’s programmes manager, Clemence Nhliziyo rallied communities and traditional leaders to support the Government.
Junior Chinhoyi Member of Parliament and Child Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Patience Maraidza said the programme was going to see a reduction in school drop-outs.
The event which was also attended by the Education Deputy Minister, Angela Gata, senior Government officials, traditional leaders, representatives of various organisations, and community members, saw schools in the province exhibiting what they are producing through the Heritage Based Education 5.0 Model.
Online Reporter