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Sukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
MATABELELAND South schools need science laboratories for pupils to meet requirements set for education scholarships, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs has said.
Abednico Ncube said the bulk of A-Level pupils in schools around the province were majors in arts subjects.
Speaking during a tour of development projects within Bulilima District yesterday, Ncube urged communities to construct state-of-the-art schools.
He applauded communities that had taken the initiative of mobilising resources to spearhead development projects.
“It’s a good initiative for communities to be building schools using resources which they have mobilised themselves. It’s also pleasing to note that communities are not waiting for the government to furnish them with resources,” the minister said.
“However, as you’re building the schools there’s a need to incorporate laboratories into your plans at an early stage. Our children from the province have to major in science subjects at A’ Level, even those in the remotest schools, so that they can be relevant.”
Ncube said most scholarship opportunities for students to study abroad required pupils to pursue studies in the science field.
He said while communities and pupils were playing their part, teachers had to remain committed to their work and production of good results.
Ncube said officials such as District Education Officers should ensure that their schools were properly staffed so that children would not be short-changed.
He said DEOs had to maintain close supervision of teachers to ensure that pupils did not fail because of negligence by their teachers.
Ncube said a number of pupils were failing to proceed to Form 1 after completing their Grade 7 because of a severe shortage of secondary schools in their areas.
He urged communities that did not have secondary schools to construct them.
Ncube said parents had to invest in their child’s education by selling livestock to raise money for school fees and construction of schools.
“The government has prioritised completion of studies and that’s why a policy has been put in place which ensures that schools come closer to communities. Therefore, as communities please ensure that the distances walked by pupils are reduced,” he said.
“If a child has to walk 36 kilometres to and from the nearest school each day as what’s happening within the district of Bulilima then there’s no way that child will pass.”
He applauded Non Governmental Organisations that were assisting communities by funding development projects.
Ncube urged NGOs to stick to their core business, which was developing communities.
Ncube and a delegation which comprised Matabeleland South Provincial Administrator, Midard Khumalo, Bulilima East National House of Assembly Member Mathias Siqhoza Ndlovu, politburo member, Richard Ndlovu, Bulilima District Administrator, Ethel Moyo, Bulilima Rural District Council chief executive officer, John Brown Ncube, councillors from the district and departmental heads first visited Peace and Good Hope Primary School in Figtree.
A classroom block has finally been built after pupils were forced to learn from mud huts for years.
The delegation also visited Ntunungwe Secondary School, Somnene Clinic, Goba Primary School, Mazwaligwe Secondary and Tokwana Clinic where Ncube toured community initiated projects.
Online Reporter