Online Reporter
Fungai Lupande-Mashonaland Central Bureau
GOVERNMENT has released funds to fast-track the completion of Mariga Primary School in Kanyemba, whose construction began in 2016.
The school, which was affected by delays in the disbursement of funds from the Ministry of Finance from 2020, is now set for completion after the Government released US$500 000 for the remaining works.
Provincial Education Director Dr Themba Mangwiro said the release of funds had resolved the major challenge that had stalled progress, adding that the contractor had already been engaged and was expected to return to the site.
“Mariga Primary had challenges from 2020 due to delays in the release of funds, but I am happy to say the Ministry of Finance has released the monies for this project. We have already engaged the contractor, and we have asked them to use the fix-and-supply model so that the project is completed without further delays,” said Dr Mangwiro.
Despite the financial setbacks, the province has continued preparing for the expansion by securing additional land through special planning approval, creating sufficient space for the future hospital.
“The space for the school has been extended, so we now have that capacity for expansion,” he said.
As part of the preparations, the Ministry of Health and Child Care used funding from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to construct a pharmacy at the facility.
“We prioritised this facility because we were planning for it to become a hospital. We have already constructed a pharmacy in preparation for the upgrade, but unfortunately the rest of the budget has not come,” said Dr Tshuma.
The planned school is expected to significantly improve access to education for communities in Kanyemba, many of whom currently travel long distances to access educational facilities.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education’s Director of Research, Statistics and Infrastructure Development, Mr Phanuel Muranda, said a comprehensive assessment of the project had been carried out by Government departments, including Public Works, engineers and quantity surveyors, before the funds were approved.
He said the contractor had initially estimated that US$600 000 was required to complete the project, but after Government due diligence, the figure was revised to US$500 000.
“The Ministry of Finance has now released the funds, and the previous challenge of delayed funding is no longer an issue. Our focus now is on project management and ensuring that the remaining works are completed,” Mr Muranda said.
The remaining works include roofing, tiling and electrification of the school buildings.
The contractor is expected to be on site by August, with completion targeted for December, allowing learners to start using the new facilities in January 2027.
Mariga Primary School will serve approximately 500 learners and includes classrooms, an administration block, ablution facilities, an Early Childhood Development (ECD) centre, a sickbay, teachers’ offices and two semi-detached teachers’ houses.
The project has also incorporated facilities aimed at improving the learning environment for girls, including special washroom facilities to support menstrual hygiene management.
Due to the delays, the Government introduced temporary measures to ensure children continued accessing education.
A nearby secondary school provided learning space for more than 80 learners, while a prefabricated structure was established by the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, to accommodate learners.
The intervention was particularly important for the VaDoma community, who have historically faced challenges accessing education because of the area’s remote location.
The Special Advisor to the President on Monitoring and Implementation of Government Programmes and Projects, Dr Joram Gumbo, recently toured the school.
Dr Gumbo said the completion of Mariga Primary School demonstrated the Government’s commitment to ensuring that no community is left behind.
“This is a national centre in Kanyemba, and we are working to make sure children have access to quality education. The support from the community has been tremendous, and we appreciate their co-operation,” he said.
Mashonaland Central Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Christopher Magomo said the project was a milestone in the Government’s infrastructure development drive.
“As you can see, funds have been availed for the completion of this school in the remote areas of Mbire. This is part of ensuring that no one and no place are left behind,” he said.
He added that the initiative would contribute to improving educational outcomes among the VaDoma people and help address social challenges affecting vulnerable communities, including child marriages.
The First Lady has also supported education initiatives in the area, including facilitating the construction of additional learning facilities and supporting the enrolment of children in school.
The revival of Mariga Primary School is expected to transform access to education for children in Kanyemba and surrounding areas, providing a permanent learning facility for the community.
