Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, Sunday News Reporter
FORMER pupils of primary schools in Lupane East’s Lupanda, have come together to improve education facilities in a collective bid to eradicate zero pass-rates that have been haunting schools in their area.
Mr Francis Nkomazana, the Lupanda Primary Schools Cluster chairman, a grouping of locals and some former pupils of the six schools based abroad, said they are working on ensuring schools in the area improve their pass-rate and their efforts have started showing results.
He said before their coming together, results were appalling and they realised some of the problems that were causing that had to do with poor welfare of teachers.
“We are happy that we have eradicated the zero pass rate in the area. We have done so much by fund-raising collectively to improve our schools by constructing classrooms, teachers’ cottages as well as improving water supply,” said Mr Nkomazana.
He added: “For the past or last six years, we have done some improvements such as support borehole drilling, cottage renovations and the classrooms as well.”
On Thursday, the group presented Starlink kits that were connected to their schools so that they link up with the world. This, he said would further improve the pass rate.
The cluster consists of six primary schools and one secondary school.
“Our schools need to be connected or have access to Starlink so that we are connected to the rest of the world,” said Mr Nkomazana, a former banker, who is now based abroad.
Information, Communication and Technology Deputy Minister, Dingumuzi Phuti was guest of honour on Thursday at Lupanda Secondary School, where he officially launched the initiative.
Mr Nkomazana said it was encouraging that the Deputy Minister committed himself to facilitating that the school gets laptops so as to boost connectivity and education delivery.
The cluster chairman said the community was now behind the former pupils’ initiatives.
He was speaking at a well-attended netball and soccer sports gala sponsored by the former pupils that was held at Sipopoma Primary School on Friday.
Colonel Miniyothabo Baloyi-Chiwenga, the wife of Vice-President, General (Rtd) Constantino Chiwenga was guest of honour where she implored the community to allow and also support children when they explore their talents.
Mr Nkomazana said at first, the community was reluctant to join the bandwagon but with time bought into the idea of being part of upliftment.
“It was hard at first for the community to support as they were suspicious of our intentions, they thought that we wanted to be senators, councillors or Members of Parliament,” said Mr Nkomazana.
Six schools took part in the netball and football tournament on Friday with all the schools kitted by the group of former learners.
Living football legend Madinda Ndlovu, was among the high-profile guests invited to the event.
Ndlovu encouraged parents to support their children in whatever they choose to do.
