Vusumuzi Dube
Fairness Moyana in Dete, Sunday News Correspondent
THE People’s Own Savings Bank (POSB) has donated a 5kVA solar power system and Starlink internet connectivity to St Francis Xavier Primary School in Hwange District, complementing Government efforts to bridge the digital divide between rural and urban schools.
The handover ceremony fulfilled a pledge POSB made during the National Association of Primary Heads (Naph) Conference held in Kariba in November last year, when the bank committed to supporting schools with sustainable energy and digital connectivity solutions.
In a speech read on his behalf by POSB public relations manager Mr David Makacha during the handover ceremony in Dete last Friday, the bank’s chief executive officer, Mr Garainashe Changunda, said the initiative went beyond infrastructure provision, describing it as an investment in opportunity, inclusion and national development.
“Today is not just about switching on solar power or connecting the school to the internet. This is about opening opportunities. With this solar system and Starlink connectivity, pupils and teachers here, and in the surrounding communities, are no longer limited by power cuts or lack of internet access,” he said.
Mr Changunda said the project will enable learners and educators to fully participate in modern education, the digital economy and global knowledge networks, while also expanding access to digital banking and financial inclusion services.
The school was established in 1965 and has an enrolment of 705 learners with a staff complement of 22 teachers.
The newly installed solar power system and high-speed internet connectivity are expected to significantly enhance teaching and learning outcomes at the school, particularly in an area where power disruptions and limited connectivity have long hampered education delivery.
Despite these challenges, the school recently recorded a 63 percent pass rate in the 2025 Grade Seven examinations, a result above the national average, reflecting sustained efforts by both teachers and learners.
Mr Changunda said the donation forms part of POSB’s Strategic Transformation Programme, which places education at the centre of the bank’s operations and seeks to realign the institution with its original mandate of promoting financial inclusion and inclusive national development.
“Our transformation is not only about banking products; it is about delivering practical solutions that positively change lives in communities,” he said.
In October last year, POSB set aside a US$8,7 million fund, spread over three years from 2025 to 2027, to support schools, educators, households, small and medium enterprises, as well as staff from the Ministries of Primary and Secondary Education and Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, to acquire solar energy systems and Starlink internet connectivity.
Anchored on three strategic pillars aligned with the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) — clean energy access, sustainable finance and digital connectivity — the initiative aims to expand affordable renewable energy, remove traditional financing barriers and enable schools to adopt e-learning and digital literacy platforms in line with the Government’s heritage-based education curriculum.
POSB has already installed free 5kVA solar systems at seven other schools across Zimbabwe, including institutions in Gokwe, Chipinge, Bindura and Bubi District, as part of its corporate social responsibility programme.
Receiving the donation, St Francis Xavier Primary School head Mr Nicholas Siamweka expressed gratitude to POSB, describing the support as transformative.
“This is not just a donation; it is a milestone for our school. The solar system ensures uninterrupted learning and reduced operational costs, while the Starlink Wi-Fi opens doors to digital learning, research and global educational resources for both learners and teachers,” he said.
Acting Hwange District Schools Inspector Mr Walter Moyo also applauded the initiative, saying it would have a lasting impact on education delivery in the district.
“Access to reliable power and internet connectivity is no longer optional in modern education. This intervention by POSB will go a long way in enhancing teaching and learning, improving learner performance and enabling rural schools to compete on the same level as those in well-resourced communities,” he said.
The initiative aligns with Vision 2030, the National Renewable Energy Policy and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those focused on quality education, clean energy and climate action.
Online Reporter