Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
OVER 10,000 secondary school learners in Matabeleland South Province are set to benefit from 41 science laboratories being constructed across the seven districts as part of the Independence Legacy Projects being implemented by the Second Republic.
The intervention is in fulfilment of President Mnangagwa’s inclusive philosophy that “no one and no place” should be left behind in development, and lays a solid foundation for long-term empowerment of communities once regarded as marginalised.
Treasury has already released ZiG106 million to fast-track the establishment of new modern laboratories, which have been distributed evenly in all districts and should be completed by next month when the province hosts the 46th Independence Celebrations in Maphisa, Matobo District, on April 18.
The construction of the science laboratories has also created employment for 1,200 locals across the province, according to official reports.
These would enable learners in rural areas to study Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (Stem) subjects, bridging a historical gap that limited learners from the province from pursuing science-related courses at higher and tertiary levels.
It is hoped that the laboratories project will ensure that learners churned out of local secondary schools can enrol in universities in the region and outside.
For decades, Matabeleland’s rural schools have wrestled with low enrolment in Stem-based university programmes and scholarships. Some learners have completed their high school studies without setting foot in a science laboratory.
In Bulilima District, the laboratories are at Nlongwe, Tjemahale, Gwambe and Mazwaligwe. Mangwe District’s new laboratories are taking shape at Plumtree High, Marula, Sanzukwi, Bango and Makorokoro. In Umzingwane District, seven schools have benefitted, namely: Irisvale, Shale, Bayethe, Mawabeni, Sihlengeni, Mbalabala and How Mine.
In Insiza District, the laboratories are being constructed at Mukwabeni, Ndola, Avoca, Filabusi and Sibhatha. Gwanda District adds its own contribution with four laboratories under construction at Halisupi, Simbumbumbi, Maphane and Lushongwe.
Matobo District’s benefitting schools include Mqabuko, St Anne, Sewule, Kafusi White Water and Lubangwe
In Beitbridge, laboratories are under construction at Nuli, Swereki, Siyoka Chitulipasi, Malala, Malungudzi, Malikuwa, Tshamnangana and Matshiloni. Commenting, Mawabeni High School headmaster, Mr Dickson Moyo, said the new science laboratory will bring relief to the school and help improve learning outcomes.
“We are relying on one junior lab, which is being used by over 600 learners. Some of our learners haven’t been in a science lab, as we have to prioritise exam classes. For the other forms, the teachers end up carrying a few apparatuses to the classrooms, but it’s not the same as learning in an actual laboratory,” he said.
“With this new science lab, we will be able to ensure that all our learners have access to the lab, which will help them improve their performance.”
School Development Committee chairperson of Mawabeni High School, Mr Dumisani Luphahla, said the science laboratory will go a long way in empowering learners from the school. He said the community was also excited about the project and had shown great support for the initiative.
Ms Elizabeth Khumalo said it was pleasing to see such huge development coming to their school. She said rural schools have always been left behind in development, but now Government was coming in to ensure that all learners get equal opportunities.
Rural Infrastructure Development Authority (Rida) Matabeleland South provincial director, Mr Likhwalethu Ndlovu, said the laboratories were at different levels of construction, with all projects expected to be at superstructure by the weekend.
Mahetshe Secondary School’s science laboratory is on the roof level. Gwambe, White Water, St Anna, Mqabuko, Marula and Filabusi are at the superstructure.
“We are looking forward to having finished construction works of all science labs up to roof level by the 8th of April. We have other districts that are already ahead, like Bulilima and Insiza District. We also have Mahetshe Secondary in Matobo District, which is at roof level.
“We received ZWG$106 million from Treasury, which has helped to procure all the necessary building materials for all labs. We have purchased the equipment from local companies in line with the devolution agenda. We have also employed 1,200 locals who are working with our technicians,” he said.
Speaking during a visit to Mawabeni High School Science Laboratory construction site, Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Albert Nguluvhe, said the science laboratories will significantly boost the province’s education sector.
He said the intervention is in response to an outcry from stakeholders in the province over the lack of teaching of STEM subjects by most secondary schools in the province.
“A major challenge we have in Matabeleland South is that most of our learners are not doing STEM subjects at the secondary level. As a result, they can’t take up science courses in local universities and they can’t take up sciences in Presidential scholarships,” said the minister.
“We are glad that His Excellency President Mnangagwa has taken heed of our plight because our children are at a disadvantage. With time, we will see an improvement in the performance of our learners, and they will go on to enrol for science courses at the tertiary level.”
Speaking during a recent visit to some of the schools, Special Advisor to the President responsible for Monitoring Implementation of Government Programmes and Projects, Dr Joram Gumbo, said the Government is pleased with the science laboratory’s construction project and progress being made.
He said such interventions are legacy projects as they continue to benefit the people for years.
“This is a development which Government is proud of. His Excellency listened to the cry of people from Matabeleland South that their children were not being accepted in local universities as they lack Science subjects and directed that 41 laboratories be built in the province,” he said.
-@DubeMatutu
