Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
GWANDA Adventist Primary School has engaged a constructor to build a new US$1,4 million learning complex.
The facility will include 16 classrooms, offices, a boardroom, a library, an administration section and a school hall.
The school is working with contractor Hualong Construction Private Limited, and is hoping to accommodate learners from Grades 2-7.
The project is being funded by a special levy paid by parents with the aim of increasing learning space.
In a recent interview at the ground-breaking ceremony, Gwanda Adventist Primary School Development Committee chairperson, Mr Francis Gadzikwa said the new complex will accommodate Grades 2-7 while the existing infrastructure will accommodate the lower classes.
“We decided to start this project seeing the increased demand for accommodation. The school was established in 2016 with an enrolment of 89 which has since increased to 272. We also have a waiting list of more than 100 pupils who want to join us but because of limited space, we can’t accommodate them”, said Mr Gadzikwa.
In a speech read on her behalf by the director for infrastructure, planning and environmental management in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Mr Daniel Njowa, Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, said the project will go a long way in addressing the need for quality education.
She commended the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church for its continued efforts in complementing Government efforts to improve the quality of education.
“This project will enable the school to provide inclusive and equitable quality education for all enhanced by the availability of enough learning space hence steering the achievement of Vision 2030.
“The school embraces the philosophy “Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabaninilo/nyika inovakwa nevene vayo” through the construction of this massive building,” said Dr Ndlovu.
SDA South Zimbabwe Conference president, Pastor Bongani Ndlovu, said the Church will continue complementing Government efforts to develop the education sector.
“As a church, we believe we have a role to play in contributing to the total development of a human being. We don’t only have churches but other institutions that contribute to the development of a human being,” he said.
“As Adventists, we are community-oriented as our master and leader Jesus cares for the community, which belongs to God. The community has needs and those needs could be spiritual, physical or social.”
Pastor Ndlovu said the church’s learning institutions are mandated to churn out productive individuals who will contribute to the country’s development and economic growth. — @DubeMatutu
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