Online Reporter
Victor Maphosa
Mashonaland East Bureau
A MAJOR transformation is expected in Murehwa West as legislator Honourable Farai Jere has started building modern science laboratories at all 20 secondary schools in the constituency.
The development, which is in line with President Mnangagwa’s development philosophy of “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo”, is set to upgrade rural education and accelerate the uptake of science and technology subjects.
Construction works are already underway, with several projects at various stages of completion.
The development comes as the country continues to implement the Education 5.0 curriculum and the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programme, which seeks to promote the uptake of science subjects and develop technical skills required for industrialisation.
Zimbabwe introduced the STEM programme in 2016 through the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, targeting Advanced Level learners.
The initiative is aimed at encouraging the study of science, technology, engineering and mathematics following a decline in the number of learners taking up those subjects over the years.
To support the programme, adequate infrastructure and learning facilities are required, with new construction often needed, particularly in rural schools where learners often face challenges accessing proper science laboratories.
Mr Jere is investing more than US$2 million towards the construction of the science laboratories.
Speaking during a recent tour of construction works at Gosha Secondary School near Juru Business Centre, Honourable Jere said the project was aimed at ensuring rural learners enjoy the same educational opportunities as their urban counterparts.
“The block will constitute the biology, chemistry and physics laboratories and classrooms for these subjects.
“These are modern blocks that we are building. We are going to support our children in terms of the STEM programme,” he said.
“We need our children learning in schools in rural areas to have the same benefits found by learners in town schools. These blocks will be equipped with modern apparatus just like those found in schools in towns.
“Remember, the practical side of these science subjects must be done in laboratories and for our learners here, they are doing the practical part in other schools, which is not proper. Even when it comes to examinations, they have to sit the practical part in other schools.
“So, we decided to bring in assistance to our learners by coming up with a US$2 million fund to construct science laboratories in 20 schools in my constituency. I have 20 secondary schools in Murehwa West constituency, so at each school, a science laboratory is being built as we speak.”
He said he was inspired by President Mnangagwa’s emphasis on quality education.
“President Mnangagwa is passionate about quality education. This is inspiring me to do this for the pupils in my constituency.
“These blocks will go a long way in transforming the education sector.
“We want engineers to come from here; medical doctors and technicians should be born out of these initiatives.
“With the right education, Vision 2030 will be achieved easily,” he said.
Gosha Secondary School head Mr John Mukarati said the science laboratory block would help address infrastructure challenges at the school.
“We used to have a challenge in terms of infrastructure at our school and this has resulted in a decrease in enrolment.
“However, that is coming to an end because we are having more classrooms here. As we speak, we are witnessing the construction of a state-of-the-art science laboratory at the school.
“Doing the practical part for the science subjects is a serious challenge. Candidates would travel to Mukombami Secondary School, which is about 8km from here, just to sit for the Paper 3 examination.
“I want to thank Honourable Jere for this development. This will go a long way in assisting our learners and we are proud of that as a school. We are going to see our learners excelling in their studies. This gesture supports the Education 5.0 programme, so we want to thank him for this.”
A parent, Mr Kenneth Maseya, applauded the initiative, saying: “The development will have a lasting impact in Murehwa. We are praying that once it is completed, our children will immensely benefit.”
