Rutendo Nyeve, [email protected]
SCHOOLS under Nkayi Rural District Council (RDC) are set for improved transport and operational efficiency following the acquisition of three buses and a truck valued at more than US$150 000, in an investment expected to ease longstanding logistical challenges in the rural district.
The vehicles, procured through the facilitation of Nkayi RDC, are destined for Hlangabeza High School, Dimpamiwa Primary School and the Nkayi District Association of School Heads (DASH).
The investment comprises an omnibus for Hlangabeza High School, another for DASH, and a truck and an omnibus for Dimpamiwa Primary School.
The acquisition is expected to improve the transportation of learners, facilitate the movement of essential supplies and strengthen administrative coordination among schools.
Nkayi RDC chief executive officer Mr Silibele Mpofu said the vehicles were undergoing final processing ahead of their commissioning and deployment.
“We are pleased to advise that two of our schools bought omnibuses and a truck to ease transport logistics. Hlangabeza High School bought one omnibus or kombi for the school, one for the
District Association of School Heads (DASH) and a truck/lorry and omnibus for Dimpamiwa Primary School. All the vehicles were bought through/facilitated by Nkayi RDC,” said Mr Mpofu.
He said the vehicles would address transport constraints affecting the day-to-day operations of the beneficiary institutions, particularly schools serving learners from widely dispersed communities.
“The acquisition of these vehicles is a game-changer for our schools. For Hlangabeza High School and Dimpamiwa Primary School, the buses will ensure that students, particularly those travelling from distant areas, have reliable and safe transport. This will undoubtedly improve attendance and punctuality,” he said.
Mr Mpofu said the truck would also help schools transport essential supplies, including food and building materials, reducing their reliance on costly external transport arrangements.
“For the District Association of School Heads, the dedicated omnibus will facilitate the smooth coordination of meetings, workshops, and other administrative functions across the district, ensuring that our school heads can effectively manage their institutions without the hindrance of transport shortages,” he said.
The investment comes as rural schools continue to grapple with logistical challenges arising from long distances between communities, limited transport options and the cost of moving learners and essential supplies.
For institutions such as Hlangabeza High School and Dimpamiwa Primary School, reliable transport is particularly important in supporting learners who travel from surrounding communities, as well as facilitating participation in educational activities beyond the classroom.
The truck is also expected to strengthen the schools’ capacity to move supplies and materials, potentially reducing delays in the delivery of essential goods and maintenance requirements.
Meanwhile, the dedicated DASH vehicle is expected to improve coordination among school heads, making it easier to attend district meetings, training programmes and other professional engagements.
