Online Reporter
Blessed Moyo, Sunday News Reporter
IN a heart-warming display of community spirit, villagers of Ward 18 Fort Rixon in Insiza District have taken matters into their hands and started building a state-of-the-art classroom block for their children.
The bold initiative embodies President Mnangagwa’s instructive mantra, “Nyika inovakiwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabaninilo, which translates to the country is built by its citizens.”
The decision made by the School Development Committee (SDC) and villagers to construct a new block at Mqolweni Primary was driven by an urgent need for better infrastructure. The existing classroom blocks, dating back to 1987, fell significantly short of modern educational standards.
With shortage of space to accommodate all the pupils, the school struggled to provide a conducive learning environment.
Undeterred by these challenges, the community united to design and construct innovative classroom blocks that meet their high standards. This remarkable project serves as a shining example of self-reliance and collective responsibility, demonstrating that citizens can achieve desired outcomes when they work together.
In an interview with Sunday News, Ward 18 Councillor in Fort Rixon Clr Josephine Ndondo highlighted that the severe shortage of classrooms at Mqolweni Primary School prompted the SDC and villagers to take action.
“The school’s significant infrastructure deficit forced pupils to learn under trees where they were exposed to the vagaries of harsh weather or endure the discomfort of hot-sitting,” she explained.
With over 600 pupils to accommodate, the community recognised the urgent need for additional classroom space. Undaunted, they embarked on an ambitious initiative to construct a new classroom block.
Clr Ndondo confirmed that the construction is already underway, stating, “The project is progressing steadily, with the classroom block now at the slab level.”
She thanked the villagers for the sacrifice that they had displayed saying most of them were sponsoring the project from the proceeds of their peasant farming initiatives.
“By selling maize, sweet potatoes and other crops, they can purchase cement and other essential materials and to me, that is a great sacrifice,” she said.
To minimise expenses, villagers are also moulding bricks themselves, ensuring that every cent counts.
“While some are busy moulding bricks, others are fetching water for the builder displaying a collaborative effort that reflects the community’s determination to provide their children with a conducive learning environment,” Clr Ndondo said.
The tireless work of the Fort Rixon community has culminated in the recent hiring of a professional builder to oversee the construction.
“The new classroom block, made possible by the community’s fundraising efforts, is designed to accommodate at least 200 learners across different classes and grades. This significant expansion is expected to alleviate current congestion and foster a more conducive learning setting,” said the councillor.
The villagers expressed excitement at the development saying the new classroom block represents not merely a physical structure but the community’s unwavering commitment to providing quality education for their children and future generations.
“It was not easy when we started. We realised the infrastructure at the school was not only adequate but was getting old so we decided to improve on it which culminated in the construction of this classroom block. The project is progressing well and we are delighted that the parents are giving it their all,” said a villager.
