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Herald Reporter
Community schools in marginalised areas should utilise available resources to create viable businesses to fund quality education in partnership with like-minded development partners.
“This approach explores innovative and cost-effective ways to build technological infrastructures for schools in a sustainable way through structured income generating-projects,” Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Evelyn Ndlovu made the remarks in the keynote address read on her behalf by the chief director (Curriculum Development and Technical Services) Mr John Dewah at a conference held in Harare recently.
The conference was to conscientise community school leadership on how to utilise available resources to provide quality education without resorting to increasing fees in communities that cannot afford it.
“The Second Republic is committed to education for sustainable development, which encourages enhancement in knowledge, skills, values and attitudes to enable a more sustainable and just society.
“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education strives to empower the rural and disadvantaged communities to fulfil the goals of the nation in bridging the technology divide,” Minister Ndlovu said.
She said the thrust to push for viable income generating projects in learning institutions serves to unlock the value they possess as key economic drivers.
The day-long event was convened under the theme: “Modernising Our Learning Institutions, Capacitating Schools While Building Technology-Ready Communities Beyond 2030.” It drew over 150 participants who comprised district school inspectors, school heads, and representatives of development committees from both rural and urban areas.
Among the topics presented were innovative financial solutions for community schools, cost-effective technology structures and infrastructure and enhancement towards socio-economic sustainability models.
Applauding the amalgamation of minds from the education sector, Minister Ndlovu noted the opportunity afforded them time to explore models through the utilisation of resources at hand.
She commended conference convener ROSE Foundation for sustainable initiative.
“The fact that ROSE strives for SMART green modern connected schools is a commendable initiative in supporting our rural schools.
ROSE Foundation, which has already helped some schools set up viable businesses and install IT centres and has been given the green light by the ministry to roll out the project to other schools.
Speaking on the sidelines of the conference, ROSE chairman Mr Luke Musambasi emphasised on the need for community schools to self-capacitate through the utilisation of land, for instance, for agricultural purposes and other sustainable businesses.
“Gone are the days, schools perennially complain about insufficient income from tuition alone. Even in urban areas we are advocating for aquaponics and hydroponics as a way to ease the burden on the sector in general,” he said.
Several heads and SDC representatives at the conference said that they had experienced a mind shift from the donor dependency syndrome and now realise that while it is not easy, it is possible for schools to self-fund development under community leadership.
Online Reporter