Walter Nyamukondiwa, Mashonaland West Bureau Chief
The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) has donated 50 three-seater desks worth US$4 500 to West Range Primary School in Makonde District, where about half of the 700-plus pupils had been sitting on the floor during lessons.
The desks will benefit 150 learners. They were handed over under Zimparks’ Corporate Social Responsibility programme on the sidelines of the Director-General’s Tournament, which attracted more than 400 participants.
School Development Committee chairperson Mr Kilodwell Maungwa said the donation had restored the learners’ dignity.
“We have slightly over 700 learners and about half of them were sitting on the floor,” he said. “This development has restored dignity to the learners and given them a chance to concentrate on their education.”
In a speech read on his behalf by the director of operations, Mr Arthur Musakwa, Zimparks Director-General Dr Edson Gandiwa said the authority acted after learning of the school’s furniture shortage.
“When we learnt of the severe shortage of classroom furniture at West Range Primary School, and of young pupils struggling to concentrate on their studies without adequate seating, we knew we had to act,” he said.
Dr Gandiwa said Zimparks’ contribution to national development went beyond wildlife conservation to building human capacity and uplifting communities.
“As a Government institution mandated to safeguard the nation’s wildlife heritage, we recognise that our contribution to Vision 2030 must extend beyond conservation,” he said.
“We must also help build the human capabilities that will drive Zimbabwe’s future prosperity.”
He said conservation was only sustainable when communities living alongside wildlife resources also benefited from them.
The authority is also using its Junior Rangers Programme to cultivate environmental awareness among schoolchildren.
Representing Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Marian Chombo, Mrs Mavis Nyabadza said adequate furniture was essential to learners’ concentration, comfort and academic performance.
She commended Zimparks for showing that wildlife conservation and community development could complement each other, particularly where communities coexist with wildlife.
Makonde District hosts several such assets, including Doma Safari Area, Chinhoyi Caves Recreational Park (Chirorodziva) and private conservancies.
Villager Mr Ian Mavhunga said better learning conditions gave the school a chance to raise its pass rate, but called for more support.
He said the school also needed a computer laboratory, sports grounds and other facilities. Makonde Rural District Council chairperson Councillor Misheck Nyarubero urged parents to meet their school fees obligations, noting that many appeared to be struggling to pay the US$20 per term the school charges.
He said parental contributions complement Government and stakeholder development initiatives.
“We are grateful for what Zimparks has done in our area as it complements our efforts to improve education in Makonde District through establishment of boarding facilities at Ridziwi and Matoranjera high schools,” said Cllr Nyarubero.
He called for collective efforts by parents, communities and development partners to improve educational infrastructure and service delivery.
