The Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints in partnership with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education on Monday commissioned school infrastructure worth US$1.6 million for several schools in Bulawayo.
The beneficiary schools are Gampu Primary, Mkhithika Thebe Primary, Cowdray Park Secondary, Lobengula Primary, Luveve Primary and Luveve High.
During the occasion, which included a tour of some of the beneficiary schools, the education ministry thanked the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day for its work to uplift the education sector
Gampu Primary school received a one block with four ECD classrooms, one block with four standard classroom blocks that were all fully equipped.
The school also received an equipped borehole for its water supply while Mkhithika Thebe Primary received a one block with our fully equipped ECD classrooms.
Cowdray Park High received a one block with two fully equipped Science laboratories for its Advanced Level pupils, as well as an equipped Textile Technology and Design room outfitted with industrial machines and laundry facilities.
In addition, the school obtained a food technology and design classroom.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony at Cowdray Park High school, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Torerayi Moyo, said the assistance provided to the mega schools in Bulawayo Metropolitan Province such as Cowdray Park High, Cowdray Park Primary and Mkhithika Thebe will decongest learning spaces for the pupils, fostering a conducive environment for their learning.
“Our pupils from ECD (A) to Advanced level will now have access to modern amenities that will enhance their overall educational experience. On the other hand the provision of specialist classrooms and equipment in secondary schools provides a conducive environment for practical experiments, hands-on projects and technical skills development,” said the education minister.
“Investing in infrastructure for STEM and Technical Vocational Training in schools, contribute to national development by producing a skilled workforce that will drive technological advancements, industrial growth and economic prosperity.”
Moyo urged parents led by the School Development Committees to jealously guard these assets so that current and future generations of learners could benefit.
“The classrooms will require maintenance, security measures and structures should be put in place to protect them against burglaries and the like,” he said.
Minister of Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Judith Ncube, also expressed gratitude for the work done by the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints for constructing additional classrooms, science laboratories and other special rooms.
“The province has schools both in the urban and peri-urban areas. It has a total of 147 primary schools and 58 secondary schools. These schools are characterised by very high enrolments of which some have over 2 000 pupils making it very difficult for the schools to provide adequate infrastructure,” said the provincial minister.
Ncube called on more partners to come on board and assist in the provision of infrastructure in schools or even in building new schools especially in Cowdray Park where there is a critical shortage of schools.
Director of Public Works in Bulawayo Metropolitan, Engineer Herbet Karuma, who was standing in for the Minister of Local Government and Public Worksm Winston Chitando, said the government was honoured to have development partners who saw it fit to augment efforts to provide learning spaces in the form of ECD, classrooms and laboratories.
“The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education would want to assure our partners that these structures will be looked after, with both the government and partners guarding these valuable fixed assets so that generations to come will benefit from your benevolence,” said Eng. Karuma.
The engineer said the ministry has been engaging the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education on how to building going upwards.
“ We are glad some of the schools have already adapted to the design. Formerly group A schools already were putting up such structures and it is the schools in the high density suburbs that were lagging behind. I am also glad our local authorities have also engaged in similar alternative methods of building upgrades,” said Karuma.
Director of Housing and Community Services Dictor Khumalo who was representing the Bulawayo City Council Town Clerk, Christopher Dube, said without the donation, the completion of the ECD block at Mkhithika Thebe primary would still be a pipe dream.
“We are equally aware of other donations made to other schools in the city by the church. This is a welcome development .Our school children now have the requisite infrastructure. According to council town planning standards it is expected that for every 500 households, a primary school should be provided. In every 1 500 households, a secondary school should also be provided,” Khumalo said.
“Following these standards vis a vie household growth over years, the city is estimated to have a backlog of plus or minus 25 primary schools that are required to reduce hot seating that is currently being faced by the current learners.”
Khumlao noted that council schools particularly Cowdray Park have an enrolment seating around 2 500 on average with Mahlathini having the highest numbers with 2 800 learners.
In their remarks, the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints Stake President for Nkulumane, Fortunate Chitiyo, said the church was excited to partner the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and provide quality education to all Zimbabweans.
