Faith Christian College on Friday held a groundbreaking ceremony for constructing a boarding primary school in Tshabalala, envisioned to offer quality, affordable education to the community.
The school also unveiled a new bus to enhance transportation services.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Director of Faith Christian College, Milton Maphosa, said they are constructing the boarding primary school in Tshabalala to complement the government’s efforts in providing quality education.
“Faith Christian College started in 2007 in Cowdray Park. From there, it grew to what it is today. It is registered with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and currently operates in the CBD due to infrastructural limitations. We are building in Tshabalala to bring affordable education to the community. We want to complement government efforts in providing quality, affordable education to our communities,” he said.
“We believe that in this community there is potential for a boarding school. We are building the first boarding primary school in Tshabalala, offering quality modern education to the community.”
Maphosa announced that the construction, currently underway, is expected to be completed by the end of the year, with an official launch planned for early 2025.
He said they have close to 40 members of staff, serving pre-school, primary, and high school levels.
“The school should be complete by the end of the year, and we will officially launch at the beginning of 2025. We have completed the substructure and will start on the superstructure in the coming weeks. By the end of the year, the project will be complete, and enrollment will begin in the third term,” he said.
Acknowledging the support, Maphosa thanked the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) for providing the land.
“We would like to thank the BCC for giving us this five-hectare piece of land, which is big enough to build the school we are talking about. The community has been very supportive, already inquiring about the school,” he said.
The Headmistress of Faith Christian Primary School, Gloria Ndlovu, emphasized the significance of the groundbreaking ceremony and bus commissioning as pivotal moments in the institution’s journey toward providing enhanced services.
“Today we gather to celebrate a new chapter in our organization’s history. The commissioning of this new bus symbolizes our commitment to providing safe, efficient, and reliable transportation services to our students and staff. We will work tirelessly to ensure that the transportation services meet the highest standards of quality and safety. As we break ground today, we embark on a new journey that will require collaboration, perseverance, and vision,” said Ndlovu.
Representing the District Schools Inspector, Farisanani Sibanda underscored the broader implications of the event.
“We are celebrating the fusion of innovation, collaboration, and ambition of all the stakeholders who support us in imagining Faith Christian Primary School’s future today. We build with mortar and concrete, but tomorrow we build scientists, engineers, architects, and professionals who will impact our world far and wide,” she said.
Sibanda said they will continue to envision a Faith Christian Primary School that puts technology in the hands of students, setting them up to excel in this fast-paced world.
“We will continue to learn from you and look forward to your financial support in this vision,” she said.
She added that the acquisition of the bus demonstrates the school’s commitment to providing a conducive environment for pupils and staff.
“This unveiling ceremony is in line with our promise to provide learners with an environment and resources conducive to growth and development,” said Sibanda.
