Minister donates pigs, chicks to schools

Clementine Phulu, Sunday News Reporter
PRIMARY and Secondary Education Minister Dr Evelyn Ndlovu has donated 11 pigs and 700 Sasso chicks to schools in Bulilima East constituency in Matabeleland South Province as part of efforts to revive the education with production philosophy.

The donation was given to Siyaphambili, Sikhathini, Bambadzi, and Gwambe secondary schools as part of an initiative that aims to empower the schools. Matabeleland South Provincial Education Director (PED) Mrs Beatrice Manjere who was standing in for the minister said the donation came at the right time as the ministry was encouraging schools to venture into commercial projects which would generate income and develop the schools.

“Pig farming is a subject covered in our competence-based curriculum’s study area on animal husbandry in agriculture, and today’s donation is proof that it has been put into practice.

“We are working to revive the education with production philosophy that our Zimbabwe Foundation for Education with Production (ZIMFEP) group of learning institutions represents. Our curriculum has been changed to provide students with the knowledge, attitudes, and practical skills that contribute to both their own self-sufficiency and the national socioeconomic development,” she said.

Mrs Manjere said learners were  key to the development of schools and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education needed stakeholders’ support to achieve its vision and mission.

“It is important for schools to contribute to national development. I would want to emphasise to the community that support and participation from the community are essential to the accomplishment of school projects. Community members should respect school projects and make sure that there is no vandalism. With this donation of 700 chicks and eleven pigs, we wouldn’t want a situation where these donations will be stolen as they will benefit the community as well as the schools,” she added.

Pupils in schools were challenged to come up with innovations that would transform piggery industry and improve the lives of their communities. Schools were also urged to take on revenue-generating projects and play a role in the human capital development and innovation to spur the National Developing Strategy 1 (NDS1) and the nation’s possibilities of achieving Vision 2030.