Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba, Zimpapers Writer
TOUCHED by the sight of several children with disabilities failing to access education, the Masunda community in Zvishavane District, Midlands Province, has embarked on constructing Muwungani Primary School, an all-inclusive learning institution aimed at ensuring equal access to education for all children.
The school seeks to address the challenges faced by learners with disabilities who are often forced to stay home due to long distances and a lack of disability-friendly facilities, denying them their constitutional right to education.
The project is entirely community-driven, with members pooling resources and labour to bring the dream to life.
“So far, one classroom block and an ablution block have been completed, while construction of a second classroom block is underway.
The initiative has also drawn support from corporate players such as Errymaple Group of Schools and Mimosa Mining Company, which donated building materials, including door frames, cement and roofing sheets.
In an interview, Chief Masunda said the project was born out of the community’s desire to create a safe and inclusive learning environment that promotes equality and opportunity for every child.
“As Masunda community, we started constructing Muwungani Primary School after realising that some pupils with disabilities were forced to stay home due to the distance to the nearest school, about 10 kilometres away and the lack of suitable facilities to accommodate them,” he said.
Chief Masunda added that the community envisions a low-cost boarding primary school that will house learners with disabilities to ensure they do not fall behind their peers, in line with the country’s Vision 2030 development goals.
“We are planning a boarding facility for learners with disabilities so that they can access education without challenges. The school will serve villages including Vengesa, Piya, Kufa, Muhasvo, Kosoro and Vaka,” he said.
Chief Masunda said community members have shown strong commitment, contributing bricks, cement and labour, while awaiting additional support to complete an administration block and two dormitories for pupils with disabilities.
“We are appealing to well-wishers who can assist with drilling a borehole for the school to come on board. Water is essential for the success of this project,” he said.
The chief expressed optimism that the school would uplift education standards in Zvishavane District and become a model for inclusive learning.
While the constitution guarantees the right to education for all citizens, including persons with disabilities, implementation challenges persist, especially in rural areas. Many schools remain inaccessible due to poor infrastructure, lack of trained teachers and negative societal attitudes.
The Government, through the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, continues to promote inclusive education in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, to which Zimbabwe is a signatory.
However, community-led efforts such as the Muwungani Primary School project demonstrate how grassroots action can bridge policy gaps, empowering every child to learn, grow and contribute to national development.
