Govt urged to build more ECD schools

Masvingo Correspondent
A local traditional leader has exhorted Government to build more primary schools that offer Early Childhood Development (ECD) classes in rural areas to reduce the distance travelled by young learners to school.

Chief Murinye (Mr Ephias Munodawafa) said some young learners were walking long distances daily to access ECD classes across most parts of Masvingo.

He said the situation was dire in resettlement areas where communities were still grappling with shortage of schools, both at primary and secondary levels.

“We call upon Government to open more ECD classes at all rural schools across the province because at the moment they are still very few yet the student population continues to grow annually,” said Chief Murinye.

“The situation where schools that offer ECD classes are very few in rural areas is forcing young learners to walk for very long distances to the few and isolated institutions that offer the classes in rural areas.”

Chief Murinye said the plight of young prospective ECD learners worsens during the rainy season when they will have to cross flooded rivers to get to school. He challenged Government to rehabilitate some old-fashioned schools in rural areas most of which were built during the colonial era.