Learners stranded as hailstorm blows off classroom blocks

TEACHERS at Mopane Primary School in Zhombe, Kwekwe District in Midlands Province, are conducting lessons in the open after rains accompanied by strong winds left a trail of destruction at the school.

The school was among the facilities affected by strong winds that ravaged the district in December last year.

The strong winds swept through the district and blew off the roofs of all 16 classrooms at Mopane Primary School including toilets and teachers’ cottages.

While other schools like Umlala Park Primary, Rhino Primary and Mupamombe Primary were also affected, Mopane was the worst affected after the entire classroom blocks and ablution facilities were damaged.

Kwekwe district schools inspector Mr Herbert Maziriri told the District Civil Protection Unit meeting that the hailstorm left a trail of destruction with several schools in the district affected.

“On 12 December a hailstorm ravaged the district and it left a trail of destruction in several schools within the district. Umlala Park Primary School in Ward 2, and Rhino Primary School in Zhombe were also affected,” he said.

Mr Maziriri said the situation at Umlala Park is under control following the intervention by local legislator, Jacob Chokururama and Ward 2 Councillor Basilio Mutosvori who both chipped in and bought roofing material.

“But the situation is dire at Mopane Primary School which was destroyed by the hailstorm. The same situation is also at Rhino Primary School,” he said.

Mr Maziriri said over 1 000 learners at Mopane Secondary were attending lessons in the open as it was deemed unsafe for them to continue using the classrooms.

“All the students are in the open as we speak because the roofs of their classrooms were completely blown off. Some of the asbestos sheets are hanging precariously and pose a danger to the learners hence it’s not safe to continue using the facilities,” he said.

Mr Maziriri said they have since engaged Rio Tinto Agricultural College to accommodate the learners temporarily.

“We wrote to the college and we are yet to get a response. We are optimistic that they will respond quickly so that our learners can learn in a safe place,” he said.

Mr Maziriri said the school should be declared a state of disaster.

“This should be declared a state of disaster given the level of destruction caused by the hailstorm. Besides the classes, all the toilets were also destroyed which is a health hazard to children and staff. I therefore request the relevant authorities to treat this situation as a state of disaster,” he said.

Acting Kwekwe District Civil Protection Unit chairperson Mr Reason Machina said a team of engineers will visit the school for further assessment.

“We have mobilised a team that will visit the school as soon as possible to carry out an assessment and map the best way forward. However, in the meantime, we are working on supplying tents to the school,” he said.

Zhombe MP, Cde Edmore Samambwa said all the schools in the area need constant monitoring and regular inspections.

“The area has a lot of termites which destroy the timber leaving the roofing exposed and vulnerable to harsh weather conditions. I, therefore, call upon the Zibagwe Rural District Council and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to regularly inspect the schools and avoid disasters,” he said