Online ReporterPatrick Chitumba, Midlands Bureau
THE Government has commissioned three new classroom blocks at Mudzengi Primary School in Chirumhanzu District, Midlands Province, through a collaborative effort between Delta Corporation, devolution funds and community input.
The project, valued at US$110 000, aims to address overcrowding and hot-seating at the school.
The Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, officially commissioned the new classroom blocks at the school on Wednesday.
In his remarks, he explained that the commissioning of the new blocks was part of broader Government plans to establish new schools and expand existing ones through the construction of smart blocks and science laboratories.
“We gather here today in Chirumhanzu on this auspicious occasion of the handover of school furniture and the commissioning of state-of-the-art Mudzengi Primary School classroom blocks A, B, and C, built at a cost of US$110 000,” he said.
“Today’s event demonstrates that the Second Republic, under the astute leadership of President Mnangagwa, is committed to transforming the education sector and modernising and industrialising the economy by harnessing the country’s comparative advantage in heritage-based human capital and natural resources, guided by the mantra — leaving no one and no place behind.”
Minister Ncube highlighted that the project comes as a relief for learners who previously had to travel distances ranging from nine to 21 kilometres to neighbouring Utah, Chiodza, and Netherburn Primary Schools.
He commended the people-centred leadership and swift response to the plight of communities, which supports the devolution and decentralisation agenda for empowering communities.
The Minister also praised the removal of the Cala and the introduction of the Heritage-Based Curriculum, which integrates the country’s vision, history, culture and natural resources into the education system.
He noted that the Government is actively working on the decentralisation of satellite school registration and approval to receive development assistance.
“I, therefore, applaud Delta Corporation for partnering with Chirumhanzu Rural District Council and the local community in the construction of one of the three classroom blocks, including the provision of school furniture,” said Minister Ncube.
“I am reliably informed that the company is assisting communities in Mberengwa to establish another school, which is highly commendable. I urge other corporates to emulate this sustainable, demand-driven corporate social responsibility programme as we position our education system in pursuit of a knowledge-driven economic recovery and growth.”
The Minister urged parents to uphold their responsibility to ensure children’s right to education and pay school fees, as this is key to the growth and expansion of school infrastructure and services, which in turn affect the teaching and learning environment for students and teachers, ultimately impacting pass rates.
Mudzengi Primary School currently has an enrolment of 209 learners and eight staff members.
“I urge our local authorities to ensure civil servants benefit from residential stands and agro plots under their jurisdiction to cater for life after work,” said Minister Ncube.
He also warned learners and the community against drug and substance abuse, which he said poses a significant threat to national progress.
The school head, Mr Andrew Serere, commended both the Government and Delta for bringing such a tangible project to Chirumhanzu.
“We are happy as a community. Our students used to study in farm sheds, but we now have state-of-the-art buildings, courtesy of the Government,” he said.
The Government recently announced plans to construct 120 new schools across the country through a multi-sectoral approach.
International partners have pledged US$20 million towards the projects, with the State providing the remainder of the funding as efforts are underway to reduce the infrastructure deficit.
