The Matabeleland South Provincial Administration has ordered urgent interventions at 11 schools that recorded a zero percent pass rate, with each institution expected to develop a turnaround plan with measurable targets and clear responsibility for implementation.
The move comes amid persistent concerns over poor examination results in the province, particularly in rural schools where learners face challenges including teacher shortages, inadequate learning materials and facilities, long distances to school and household poverty.
Speaking to CITE, Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe said the zero pass rates were a serious concern and required interventions tailored to the circumstances of each school.
“The 0% pass rate recorded by these schools is a matter of serious concern to the Government and the Province,” Nguluvhe said.
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“Our observations point to a combination of challenges, including shortages of qualified teachers in some critical subjects, inadequate learning materials and science facilities, insufficient teachers’ accommodation, long distances travelled by learners, absenteeism and socio-economic challenges affecting vulnerable rural households.”
Nguluvhe said the province would also strengthen academic supervision and identify struggling learners earlier so that remedial interventions could be introduced before they fell too far behind.
“There is also a need to strengthen academic supervision, continuous assessment and early intervention where learners are falling behind,” he said.
He said interventions would include addressing teacher shortages, improving access to learning materials, supporting remedial and holiday lessons, expanding ICT access and accelerating the construction of classrooms, science laboratories, teachers’ accommodation, water and sanitation facilities.
“A 0% pass rate must never be normalised. Every affected school must have a turnaround plan with measurable targets and clear responsibility for implementation,” Nguluvhe said.
The provincial administration is also pointing to infrastructure development as part of its longer-term response to educational challenges in underserved communities.
Nguluvhe said Government, local authorities and communities were continuing to construct and rehabilitate classroom blocks, laboratories and teachers’ accommodation under devolution and other development programmes.
In Beitbridge District, he cited Nuli High School, where a science laboratory was nearing completion when Government officials conducted a monitoring visit.
“The overall structure was approximately 98% complete, with the laboratory roofed and flooring completed, while outstanding works included tubing, doors and windows,” he said.
At Marungudzi Secondary School in Chaswingo, a science laboratory is being developed under the 46th Independence Legacy Projects.
Nguluvhe said the project still required roofing materials, trusses, piping, electrical works and laboratory furniture, adding that the Government was following up to ensure the facility was completed and became operational.
The province is also seeking to reduce the distances travelled by learners in rural communities by developing additional schools.
Nguluvhe said plans were being pursued for Tshikwalakwala Secondary School in Ward 1, Makombe Secondary School in Ward 13 and Langeni Secondary School in Ward 5 in Beitbridge East.
“We are also pushing for the establishment and development of schools such as Tshikwalakwala Secondary School in Ward 1, Makombe Secondary School in Ward 13 and Langeni Secondary School in Ward 5, Beitbridge East, to reduce the distances travelled by rural learners,” he said.
He said infrastructure development at schools such as Tjemahale Secondary School in Bulilima District also demonstrated the importance of collaboration between Government, local authorities and communities.
“Devolution must be visible in the classroom. It must translate into completed classrooms, laboratories, water, sanitation and decent learning environments for our children,” Nguluvhe said.
For the 11 schools that recorded zero pass rates, the Provincial Administration is working with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, local authorities and other stakeholders on school-specific interventions.
These include intensified monitoring, addressing teacher shortages, strengthening academic supervision and identifying urgent needs such as textbooks, laboratory equipment, furniture, electricity, water, sanitation and ICT infrastructure.
Nguluvhe also linked educational performance to learners’ welfare, particularly nutrition.
He said the Government’s School Feeding Programme was particularly important in drought-prone and food-insecure rural communities, where hunger could affect attendance, concentration and participation in lessons.
“We cannot speak about improving pass rates without considering the welfare of the learner. A hungry child will struggle to learn,” he said.
He urged schools and communities to complement the programme through nutrition gardens, improved access to water and locally driven food-production initiatives where conditions permit.
Nguluvhe said the province’s response would therefore extend beyond examination results to the wider conditions in which learners study.
“Our approach is therefore not only about examination results. We are looking at the whole learning environment — the teacher, the classroom, the laboratory, learning materials, nutrition, water, sanitation and the welfare of the learner,” he said.
“Behind every result is a child with a future. Our responsibility is to make sure that where that child is born or goes to school does not determine whether they succeed.”
The Provincial Administration will continue monitoring the affected schools and working with the responsible ministry, local authorities, parents, traditional leaders, School Development Committees, the private sector and development partners, Nguluvhe said.
“Our objective is to ensure that zero-pass-rate schools become a thing of the past in Matabeleland South,” he said.
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