School block roof blown away

Miriam Mangwaya Herald Correspondent
Pupils at Mashayamvura Primary School in Chikomba District have been forced to have lessons in the open after strong winds damaged a classroom block on Monday. Chikomba District Schools Inspector Mr Emmanuel Kwenda said no injuries were reported.

“There was a sudden whirlwind at the school during lunch hour and the iron sheet roofing on one classroom block was blown away by the wind. It is very fortunate that the pupils escaped because some sheets were being blown up to 100 metres away,” he said. Mr Kwenda said their assessment indicated that poor construction methods contributed more to the damage caused by the wind.

“From the information that we have gathered, construction of the block was below standard and engineers have condemned the whole structure. About $5 000 is needed to construct another classroom block,” he said. Mashayamvura School Development Committee vice chairperson Mr Pascah Chafunga urged authorities to address the situation at the school, which had inadequate classrooms prior to the incident.

“Due to the shortage of classrooms at the school, pupils of different grades would share the classrooms. The destruction of another block has worsened the crisis,” he said. Mashayamvura Primary School is in a resettlement area, with an enrolment of around 270 pupils.