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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Gwanda Correspondent
The Government remains committed to improving the country’s education sector through ensuring that all learners have access to proper infrastructure and qualified personnel.
Speaking during the hand over of an Early Childhood Development (ECD) block at Sengezani Primary School in Ward 14, Gwanda District on Wednesday, Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs, Cde Abednico Ncube said the Government, through the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA), had constructed classroom blocks in several schools across the province.
“In pursuance of Vision 2030 which seeks to transform our nation into an upper-middle income by 2030, education remains a critical sector to ensure the attainment of this vision. It’s important that we create a conducive environment for pupils to realise their full potential. Appropriate and adequate infrastructure is a pre-requisite for every learning institution.
“Government remains committed to ensure all pupils have access to proper infrastructure and qualified personnel,” he said.
Cde Ncube said the Government introduced the new curriculum which saw the introduction of ECD education which put a strain on existing personnel and infrastructure as it meant the need for new teachers and learning space for ECD pupils.
He said as a way of addressing this challenge Sengezane Primary School engaged ZNA to assist them in constructing an ECD block.
Cde Ncube expressed his gratitude to ZNA for assisting the community.
He said working together, the community mobilised resources while ZNA provided labour.
Cde Ncube appealed to ZNA to continue assisting more needy schools in Matabeleland South.
He urged the school to jealously guard the ECD block and preserve it. Cde Ncube also called on learners to work hard so they could contribute to the development of the nation.
Speaking at the same event Commander of One Infantry Brigade, Brigadier-General Josephat Kudumba said the army had embarked on several community developmental projects across the province.
“You have on several occasions witnessed the army participating in activities completely divorced from their core business of prosecuting wars. This is military assistance to civil ministries or communities. This role is undertaken by the army to support Government Ministries and quasi-Government institutions in maintaining essential services in times of disaster, industrial action or it could be any support communities may request from the military.
“One Infantry Brigade is responsible to the communities in Matabeleland region and its major vehicle for undertaking construction projects under community assistance work is One Engineer Field Squadron which has qualified artisans in various construction fields. The school’s SDC approached us seeking assistance to construct this classroom block. The ZNA then mobilised army engineer artisans to construct the block,’’ he said.
Brig-Gen Kudumba said other projects that had been done by the army in Matabeleland South included building a classroom block in Zhophempe Primary School in Beitbridge, Himago and Mzwanyana Secondary Schools in Bulilima, Mayfair Bridge in Insiza among others.
He said construction projects that were underway include those at Lumene Primary, Malikuwa Secondary and Usher High School.
Brig-Gen Kudumba said projects underway in Matabeleland North included construction works at Mdutsheni Primary, Inala Clinic, Lupane State University among others.
He appealed to communities that were being assisted by ZNA to mobilise and provide resources quickly to avoid stalling of projects.
@DubeMatutu
Bongani Ndlovu