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Commissioning the bus, Matabeleland South provincial education director Mrs Tumisang Thabela urged the Salvation Army-run school authorities to avoid abusing the bus as parents had struggled to raise the required money.
Mrs Thabela commended the parents’ patience despite economic challenges.
“The new bus we are celebrating today was a brainchild of the parents and this shows they have a passion for their children’s future and well being. You have done this for your children, for they shall go for school functions comfortably with confidence, they will no longer be ridiculed by other schools for using an open truck,” said Mrs Thabela.
She said parents were keen in the development of the school and it was the duty of the pupils to take their studies seriously.
“I am a parent as well and my speech will not be complete if I do not talk about HIV and Aids and working hard in our studies.
The nation pins its hopes for survival on disciplined youths so it is important that you study hard and abstain from sex until you are married,” said Mrs Thabela.
Ms Idah Moyo, the school’s headmistress thanked the Salvation Army church, parents and the school development committee for supporting the project.
“The idea of a school bus was mooted a long time ago and we ended up buying a mini-bus in 2006. In February 2011 parents resolved to buy the bus and we managed to pay our first instalment of $70 000 in November last year. We are happy because we have fully paid for the bus which cost us $212 700 though we faced many challenges,’ said Ms Moyo.
She appealed to well-wishers to help the school build a hostel for A-level pupils.
“We have embarked on a project to build a hostel for our A-Level pupils and we are appealing for assistance so that we finish it before the end of this year,” said Ms Moyo.
The secretary for business administration for Salvation Army Territorial headquarters, Lt Colonel Langton Kazimpingani also expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture and the parents for participating in the development of the school.
“We are happy to be officially commissioning our bus which our parents and partners helped to purchase. May God bless you and we promise as an institution to take good care of the vehicle,” said Lt Col Kazimpingani.
Online Reporter