Ward 28 Councillor, Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu, has called on the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) to prioritise building more schools to accommodate the city’s growing learner population.
Cllr Ndlovu made the remarks during the latest Full Council meeting held on Wednesday.
He highlighted the disparity between existing school capacity and the actual number of enrolled students.
“There’s a particular challenge with primary schools,” Ndlovu said. “We have a shortage of schools compared to the number needed. Some schools designed for 800 to 1,200 learners are now forced to accommodate over 2,000.”
Ndlovu cited Mahlathini Primary School in Cowdray Park as an example. The school, originally built for 800 students, now has over 2,800.
“It’s gotten to the point where part of the administration block has been converted into classrooms just to fit everyone,” he added.
Ndlovu noted that new and expanding suburbs are most affected by the lack of schools.
“These areas are particularly impacted,” he said. “It’s even worse because some suburbs have many houses still under construction, indicating a future influx of residents. Where will these children be educated?”
Ndlovu pointed out a previous report recommending the construction of at least 25 new primary schools. However, none have been built despite the population increase.
“Can we prioritise education and ensure no child learns under a tree or sits on bricks? This overcrowding is negatively affecting pass rates,” he urged the council.
In addition to the lack of schools, Ndlovu criticized the slow response from the city council regarding school development projects.
“Another challenge is the delay caused by project managers overseeing school projects,” he said. “Some schools have fundraising initiatives to improve their infrastructure, such as building bus sheds or kitchens. However, project managers take an excessively long time to approve these projects, leading to the deterioration of building materials.”
