ZRP builds secondary school in Umguza

THE Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) is constructing a state-of-the-art secondary school in Umguza District, Matabeleland North Province, as part of efforts to ease enrolment pressure and expand access to quality education in underserved communities.

The new school, which will be built near Ntabazinduna, about 40km from Bulawayo, is expected to bring secondary education closer to communities that have traditionally travelled long distances to access boarding facilities. The project is in line with Vision 2030 and the Government’s commitment to leave “no one and no place behind”.

To mobilise resources for the project, the ZRP hosted a fundraising golf tournament at Gweru Golf Club over the weekend, followed by a dinner attended by Government officials, business leaders and development partners, where stakeholders pledged various forms of support towards the construction of the school.

Addressing senior police officers, golfers and corporate executives at the fundraising event, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Midlands Province, Owen Ncube, said the initiative had Government backing as it aligns with the country’s modernisation and development agenda.

“The event resonates with the Second Republic under the pragmatic leadership of President Mnangagwa’s bold and strategic policy decision to adopt Public-Private Partnerships in advancing resource-based and knowledge-driven innovation, modernisation and industrialisation of the economy as we glide towards the attainment of a prosperous and empowered upper-middle-income society by 2030,” he said.

Minister Ncube said the Second Republic had made significant strides in the education sector through infrastructure modernisation and the adoption of the Heritage-Based Education 5.0 model.

He said the Heritage-Based Education 5.0 model integrates the country’s resources, vision, culture and natural heritage while promoting critical thinking, problem-solving, innovation and the production of goods and services that address community needs through innovation hubs, industrial parks, science laboratories and computer laboratories.

“In this regard, the ZRP Umguza High School, located near Ntabazinduna in Matabeleland North, approximately 40km from Bulawayo, adds to a growing network of ZRP nursery, primary and secondary schools that include ZRP High School in Hatcliffe, Harare, Tomlinson Depot Primary School located at the Tomlinson Depot in Harare, Ross Camp Primary School, a long-standing two-stream primary school located in Bulawayo, Mabelreign Primary School situated in the Malbereign suburb of Harare, ZRP

Kadoma Primary School located in the city of Kadoma, ZRP Zimuto Primary School in Masvingo Province, Braeside Primary School situated in the Braeside suburb of Harare, among several others known for consistently achieving top-tier pass rates at all levels, which underscores and complements the New Dispensation’s infrastructure modernisation trajectory and NDS 2 Pillar on Science,

Technology, Digital, Innovation and Human Capital Development, guided by the mantra of leaving no one and no place behind,” he said.

Minister Ncube commended President Mnangagwa for transforming the ZRP into a professional, responsive and people-centred force, while improving officers’ conditions of service through the provision of vehicles, food rations and solarised boreholes to enhance water and sanitation in police camps.

He also commended Police Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba for rolling out training and professional development programmes aimed at equipping officers with contemporary policing skills under the back-to-basics model.

The minister further applauded police commanders in Midlands Province for efforts that have contributed to a reduction in smuggling, murder and armed robbery cases, as well as the dismantling of drug bases and the apprehension of suspects linked to several high-profile crimes.

Minister Ncube urged golfers, youths and communities to shun drug and substance abuse and instead embrace healthy and productive lifestyles.

Commissioner-General Mutamba said the establishment of the school in Umguza would significantly improve access to secondary education for surrounding communities.

“By locating the school in Umguza, the initiative also brings secondary education closer to communities that previously travelled long distances to access boarding facilities,” he said.

“The support is inspiring, as we seek to create a sustainable future for our nation, and our nation will reap rewards.

“This prepares us to meet our needs to attain an upper-middle-income economy.”
Beyond the fundraising initiative, golfers were honoured for their performances in various categories during the tournament.