Primary school appeals for footbridge

Fungai Lupande Mash Central Bureau

Avoca Primary School on the outskirts of Bindura town has appealed to Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs Minister Senator Monica Mavhunga to facilitate the construction of a footbridge across Mazowe River to ensure the safe passage of learners who stay across the river.

The school headmaster, Mr Story Chokurongerwa, said most learners were risking their lives crossing the crocodile-infested river to avoid taking a longer route to school.

“A number of our learners live on farms across the river and prefer to cross the river, which is risky because of crocodiles, instead of following the tarred road,” he said.

“We are appealing to the Minister of State for Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs to help us in the construction of a footbridge to ensure the safety of these children.

“We also have learners from Pasango Farm who use the tarred road on their way to the school, exposing them to road accidents.”

He also appealed for more boreholes to be sunk in the area after two learners were attacked by crocodiles while fetching water from the river.

Mr Chokurongerwa said they lost a Grade 6 pupil, Emelda Kuyeni, on October 8 last year while another, girl Peggy Mandaza Ndemera, who was waiting for her Ordinary Level Examination was attacked earlier on September 23.

“We have an electricity-powered borehole and due to electricity load shedding we faced water challenges.

“This resulted in children going to the river to fetch water. The two children were attacked by crocodiles while fetching water.”

The headmaster appealed for more computers to ensure the smooth switch to the new curriculum.

“We have two computers and need 40 more to effectively teach the children,” he said.

The Primary School, which is operating with three substandard classroom blocks, has an enrolment of 464.

The school is building two classroom blocks with the assistance of parents who are moulding bricks.