Legislator rescues school from water woes

Emilia Zindi
Correspondent

CHEGUTU EAST Member of Parliament Mr Webster Shamu has pledged to assist in having water woes at Msengezi High School in Mashonaland West province resolved once and for all.
The school, which has an enrolment of more than 800 learners, both boarders and day scholars, has been grappling with water shortages due to inadequate pumping from the community borehole situated more than two kilometres away.
The situation has been worsened by the current load-shedding.
A solar system that was initially installed at the community borehole to assist during power outages did not help much as it was not properly installed.
In their efforts to assist learners, in 2023 parents pooled funds to drill a new borehole.
However, the amount raised by parents managed to drill up to 40 metres.
This resulted in a slight improvement in water supplies.
It was against this background that Mr Shamu came in last Wednesday during a prize-giving day at the school and pledged to donate lithium batteries and other accessories required for the solar system at the community borehole.
“I am going to give you lithium batteries and other necessities for the solar system at the community borehole so that the water issue at this school is resolved once and for all,” said Mr Shamu.
His intervention is expected to free up funds that could ordinarily have been used for the project for other developmental programmes currently underway.
One such project parents want to see completed is a classroom block that has taken more than two years to complete.
Improvement in lighting at the hostels, as well as construction of a new dining hall, a perimeter wall at the front of the school to allow privacy for students, refurbishment of both girls and boys hostels and toilets are among the major priorities at the school.
Mr Shamu underscored the importance of unity between school administration and parents in developing the school.
Income-generating projects being run at the Msengezi, such as livestock farming, piggery and chicken rearing, he said, should see developmental programmes taking shape.
“We know you are running several income-generating projects such as livestock farming, dairy, broiler raring … I hear you have already planted a hectare of maize. We hope to see one day the school saying we are reducing our school fees because these projects are giving us more money to develop the school,” he said.
Discipline among the learners was also emphasised, while the school was applauded for teaching both practicals and academics.
Mr Shamu also gave a brief history of how Msengezi was established in the early 60s.
Speaking at the same occasion, the provincial schools inspector, Mr Gabriel Mhumha, commended the school for achieving good results for both O- and A-Level last year.
The prize-giving day saw learners who excelled in various fields receive certificates as well as books, among other gifts.
Headmaster Mr George Rambanepasi encouraged parents to continue supporting the school by way of paying fees on time.