adminBlessing Rwizi Mutare Bureau
CHAPATARONGO Secondary School in the remote area of Nyanga North recently received a major shot in the arm following the commissioning of a classroom block, which also houses a Science laboratory.
The new classroom block was built at a cost of $35 000 by World Vision, which provided building material, furniture and equipment, while the local community chipped in with locally available resources and labour.
Although the school opened its doors in 1989, it did not have a Science laboratory.
Over the past years through its area development programme, World Vision has immensely contributed in developing infrastructure that houses specialised classroom blocks such as Science laboratories and Early Childhood Development Centres, among others in Nyanga.
Provincial deputy education director for secondary and non-formal education Mr Philemon Musakanya applauded stakeholders for coming together to construct the Science laboratory.
“This co-existence is of paramount importance in the establishment of a sound working environment,” said Mr Musakanya.
He urged parents to pay school fees for their children on time to sustain the new infrastructure.
“In order to sustain the new infrastructure, we need to pay fees,” he said. “I am informed that only 20 percent of parents have paid school fees. How does the school develop? If we do not play our part, this laboratory and other infrastructure will soon become white elephants.”
World Vision Zimbabwe integrated programmes director Mr Khumbulani Ndlovu said: “World Vision is partnering with the local communities to contribute to the Social Services and Poverty Eradication Cluster under the Government’s economic blueprint, the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation, commonly known as Zim-Asset.
“As World Vision, it is our hope and desire that this laboratory will benefit all children and motivate them to take up Science subjects just like their urban counterparts.”
He added: “This does not only ease the learning of Science subjects in the area, but will also bring joy to Science teachers.”
The main thrust of the Social Services and Poverty Eradication Cluster is to enable the Government of Zimbabwe to improve the living standards of citizens, by implementing projects that cater for the most vulnerable.
Online Reporter