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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Matabeleland South Bureau Chief
THE Gwanda Civil Protection Unit (CPU) is mobilising resources to repair schools that were damaged by rains in the district and assist affected families.
Three schools in the district – Matshiya Primary, Sibona Primary and Kafusi Secondary School – were affected. Matshiya Primary School is the worst affected.
Five tents have since been erected at the school to provide learning space for pupils. Three tents were provided by Unicef while two came from the CPU.
In an interview, Gwanda CPU committee chairperson, Mr Thulani Moyo said they have engaged various stakeholders to assist in rehabilitating the affected schools. He said the Gwanda Community Share Ownership Trust, Gwanda Rural District Council and World Vision have pledged to repair the damaged blocks at Matshiya Primary School.
“We have primary schools and homesteads that were damaged by rains during this rainy season. In the latest incident which occurred on Sunday the roof of a classroom block at Sibona Primary was damaged by rains. Two homesteads were also affected.
We have engaged the corporate world and other stakeholders in a bid to mobilise resources to repair damages and to assist affected families,” he said.
“So far the most affected school is Matshiya Primary where eight classrooms were damaged leaving learners in the open. The Gwanda RDC, Community Share Ownership Trust and World Vision have come in to repair the damaged classrooms.
The process is at procurement stage and the works are expected to start soon. For now, affected learners are using tents.”
Mr Moyo said they also need resources to repair Kafusi Secondary and Sibona Primary. He said some families were also in need of assistance such as food.
Mr Moyo said as the CPU committee they continue to urge villagers to ensure that their homes are stable to reduce chances of them being damaged by rains. He said there is also a need to rehabilitate some schools in rural areas, especially primary schools as some are dilapidated.
Acting Gwanda chief executive officer, Mr Ranganai Sibanda said there is a need for collective effort from stakeholders in Gwanda to repair damaged schools and assist affected families. “As various stakeholders from Gwanda there is need for us to take a leading role in repairing our damaged infrastructure. We have to utilise the locally available resources and see how far they can take us. We also have to mobilise resources to help the affected villagers. We shouldn’t sit back and expect to get assistance elsewhere. The help can come but after we have done our part.
“The state of learning infrastructure is important as it can affect the performance of learners. We would like to appeal to various stakeholders and partners to come in and assist in rehabilitating old schools,” he said.
Online Reporter