Efforts by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to address the national education infrastructure deficit – estimated at 2 800 schools – saw the construction of 83 schools in 2023, far below the targeted 300.
According to a recent report by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Primary and Secondary Education, the country has made strides in education infrastructure development, but significant challenges persist.
The 2023 national budget allocated ZWL 8.4 billion for education infrastructure, focusing on constructing new schools and rehabilitating existing ones.
Despite this funding, a nationwide assessment conducted from July 1 to 5, 2024, revealed that insufficient resources, delayed project implementation and inefficiencies continue to affect progress.
At Bunsiwa Primary in Binga, Matabeleland North, the school which serves 212 learners, has completed two classroom blocks, a teachers’ cottage and ablution facilities built with community support.
“However, the construction of additional classroom blocks and an administration block, funded by Netone, has stalled since July 2023 due to procurement challenges and labour hiring issues”, said the committee.
Despite available materials, including 2 600 bags of cement and other supplies, no work has resumed because the School Development Committee (SDC) “was instructed not to use materials for other purposes without Netone’s authorisation.”
The Committee visited Mathendele Primary School and Mathendele Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Secondary School in Plumtree, Matabeleland South, owned by Mangwe Rural District Council and financed through devolution funds.
However, the school is yet to” open due to outstanding work on two modern classroom blocks, including plumbing, floors, and furniture.”
The council faces challenges in expediting construction due to late disbursement of devolution funds.
Mathendele Seventh Day Adventist Secondary School, privately owned by the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church, has two classroom blocks that are 90 percent complete but faces financial constraints, hindering construction progress.
In Bulawayo, the Committee visited Khami Secondary School, established in 2011.
Initially, the school utilised Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) barracks as classrooms.
“In 2022, the community funded the construction of the first classroom block, with ZPCS officers contributing $15 each towards the building fund. Notable donors, including Hon Richard Moyo and ZPCS Commissioner General Moses Chihobvu, provided materials like bricks and cement,” read the report.
“The school has a partnership with McDonald Bricks, exchanging labour for bricks, with inmates providing construction labour. The school boasts four completed blocks with two classrooms each, excellent ablution facilities, and a computer and science laboratories block under construction.”
However, financial challenges and inadequate ablution facilities persist.
The staff complement consists of 34 members, with 16 from the Ministry and 18 from ZPCS.
In Mashonaland West, the committee visited two private schools, Springs of Grace Junior School in Chegutu and Mackseth International School in Kadoma, which stand out for their modern, disability-friendly infrastructure, built without direct government funding.
In Harare, the committee visited two schools: ZPCS Chikurubi Secondary School and ZRP Support Unit Secondary School.
ZPCS Chikurubi Secondary School, established in 2020 and registered in 2023, has two modern classroom blocks, fully functional ablution blocks funded by UNICEF, and a 60 percent complete classroom block.”
“The school has 280 learners, but Form 1 and 2 classes use makeshift structures. The blocks have disability- accessible ramps. Self-funding through levies, the school faces financial constraints, exacerbated by unpaid BEAM funds from the Government,” said the committee.
“ZRP Support Unit Secondary School, established in 2014, boasts two state-of-the-art classroom blocks constructed in 2023. Self-funding through levies, the school has 524 learners and 46 qualified staff.”
However, challenges persist, including inadequate classrooms, textbooks, ablution facilities, staff accommodation, and science and practical subject teachers.
In Masvingo, Shongamiti High School, Tugwi-Mukosi Secondary School and Melbourne Primary School were visited.
Shongamiti High School is undergoing significant infrastructure development, including disability compatible laboratories and a school hall with ramps.
“However, progress has been stalled due to limited water supply and financial constraints. The school relies on water from Tugwi-Mukosi Dam, which is distant, and erratic electricity supplies have affected water availability,” read the report.
“Tugwi-Mukosi Secondary School, a satellite school of Shongamiti Secondary School, faces significant challenges, including inadequate water supply and electricity. Despite assistance from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and Chivi District Rural Council, efforts to drill a borehole have been futile, and transporting water from Tugwi-Mukosi River is hindered by electricity challenges. This has stalled construction progress.”
The committee said late payment of BEAM funds by the Government affected development projects at both Shongamiti and Tugwi-Mukosi Secondary Schools.
“Melbourne Primary School’s construction, aimed at alleviating overcrowding, has faced delays due to lack of funding, causing materials to deteriorate. Partners, including Chiredzi Town Council and local residents’ associations, have not started construction on the allocated land, and materials are stored at Chiredzi High School,” read the report.
In Manicaland, the Committee visited three schools: St Kelvin Secondary, St. Makebo Primary School, and Gimboki Primary School.
St Kelvin Secondary, a satellite school established to decongest Chipinge Secondary School, boasts two completed modern classroom blocks, with a third under construction.
Funded by Chipinge Town Council and the SDC, the project faces challenges due to low fees payment compliance, lack of BEAM funds from the Government and delayed release of devolution funds.
“With only four teachers catering to 80 students, the teaching staff is overwhelmed and requires additional support,” said the committee.
“ St. Makebo Primary School, one of the 11 schools in Manicaland and 41 nationwide owned by the Johane Marange Group of Schools, occupies a 50-hectare donated land. Despite lacking registration due to inadequate infrastructure, the school has made progress with SDC and parent support, and a thriving business unit.”
However, challenges persist, including the need for four additional teachers to cater to the 517 enrolled students.
“While the school’s infrastructure shows efforts towards inclusivity, climate resilience standards need attention. Bottlenecks include inadequate infrastructure, teacher shortages, and registration delays. Gimboki Primary School, a satellite council school funded by Mutare City Council, has constructed a state-of-the-art block with five classrooms and ablution facilities using a $1 education levy,” said the committee.
“Plans for an administration block, additional classrooms and playing grounds are underway, but security challenges due to lack of perimeter fencing need addressing.”
In Mashonaland East, the committee visited: ED Mnangagwa High School and Mapona Primary School.
ED Mnangagwa High School, identified for construction in 2022 under the PSIP project, has made limited progress due to water unavailability and funding issues.
“The school has 169 learners, six teachers, and two termite ridden blocks with three classrooms each. Mapona Primary School, established in 2021, has experienced significant enrollment growth but faces challenges in terms of fees payment compliance and limited funding,” said the committee.
“The existing infrastructure at Mapona Primary School fails to meet the standards of climate resilience, hindered by the absence of income-generating projects and insufficient funding. In contrast, ED Mnangagwa High School’s proposed redesign aims to include state-of-the-art classrooms, ablution facilities, and a low-cost boarding facility, replacing the current dilapidated classroom blocks”
However, construction has been halted due to water supply challenges and the committee said both schools face challenges of non-payment of BEAM funds negatively affecting development plans including construction projects.
In Mashonaland Central, the Committee visited Brookdale Primary School and St Noah 3 Primary School.
Brookdale Primary School, established in 2022, has expanded its infrastructure with devolution funds, now boasting 940 learners, 21 teachers, and modern amenities like a borehole, electricity, solar system and internet connectivity.
“However, the school lacks computers and also requires an administration block, playground, and sports facilities. St Noah 3 Primary School, one of the projects by the Johane Marange Apostolic Church, has newly constructed modern infrastructure, but faces challenges like water scarcity, inadequate teachers’ accommodation and financial constraints,” said the committee.
“The school plans to construct a secondary school and vocational training centre, incorporating disability, girl-friendly and climate resilience features.”
