Inadequate infrastructure blamed

Thubelihle Mabhena Chronicle Reporter
PRIMARY and Secondary Education Minister, Dr Lazarus Dokora has said inadequate infrastructure is one of the major issues hampering the achievement of quality education in the country. Dr Dokora said due to the government’s limited resources, the country is lagging behind in improving infrastructure in schools countrywide.

Speaking at the World Teacher’s Day celebrations held on Friday in Bulawayo, Dr Dokora said children, especially in rural areas, walk long distances to their nearest schools due to a shortage of schools.

He said shortage of schools in urban areas has resulted in many children attending hot-seating classes.
“I know of Luveve High which has hot seating, it’s literally four schools in one session. The change of one session to the next disadvantages those children who learn at the end, as they learn an entire day’s lesson in just two hours. The process of change and settling in alone will take up 45 minutes which eats into a lesson period and this seriously affects children’s learning,” Dr Dokora said.

He revealed that the country was operating with a deficit of about 2,056 schools, adding the matter has since been brought to cabinet.
“There is a deficit of 2,056 schools accumulated over the years we had not invested in infrastructure in the country and we are aware of that and I have brought this issue to a full cabinet,” he said