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The Herald, 26 September, 1981
THE Manicaland Provincial Authority is engaged in a battle against time to set up the foundations of 43 new rural secondary schools throughout the province before the rains start.
A total of $430 000 is to be given to the authority to establish the schools, each of which will consist of four classrooms and toilets.
MPA chief executive officer Mr Renson Gasela said the schools would be built on a self-help basis, with materials for construction, as well as the administrative and technical expertise, coming from the authority, and the work being done by the communities to benefit from the schools.
“We expect the first instalment to come any time now, but we have only six weeks before the rains We must beat the rains, and I am sure we will by that time have done quite a lot.
“To that end we are going to start pegging next week. Then we will set in the frames so that the rains do not affect the filling in (of walls, doors and windows).”
One of the advantages of the project is that skilled labour is not required. Mr Gasela feels that, given the enthusiasm that exists in the rural areas, work will be completed in only two months once the frames are up. This would be well in time for the start of the new school year.
He also said that members of staff of the MPA headquarters in Umtali were keen to play their part in the establishment of the schools.
On October 17 the staff will travel to Inyanga where it is hoped to complete a school in only one day.
The construction make-up for each district is: Buhera, 14 schools; Makoni, 17; Inyanga, five; Mutasa, two; Melsetter, one; Chipinga, two.
Mr Gasela is confident that teachers will be found to enable the schools to operate satisfactorily, teachers’ housing is not included in the $10.000 grant for each school, and this matter in still a point of discussion.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
According to reports, there are 9,778 primary and secondary schools in Zimbabwe. Of these, 1,281 are in the Manicaland Province. In 1980, there were approximately 2,401 primary schools and 177 secondary schools operating in Zimbabwe.
Regions like Manicaland province have an urgent need to construct schools before the onset of the rainy season. The rainy season often brings heavy rains that can lead to flooding, which poses significant challenges for infrastructure development and maintenance.
The erratic weather patterns due to climate change have resulted in alternating periods of heavy rainfall and dry spells. This unpredictability makes it crucial for local authorities to expedite school construction efforts before the rains begin.
Online Reporter