President Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa yesterday officially commissioned 17 schools constructed by the Government of Zimbabwe in partnership with the OPEC Funding for International Development Fund (OFID) at Makumimavi Primary School, Chikomba West.
The construction of these schools aligns with the national mantra of ‘leaving no one and no place behind’, demonstrating a concerted effort to provide accessible and quality education to all communities across the country.
In his keynote address President Emmerson Mnangagwa highlighted the alignment of the commissioning of the 17 Smart Schools with Africa Day’s theme of modernizing education in rural areas.
“It is worth noting that this event is occurring a few days after our continent commemorated Africa Day under the theme, ‘Educate an African fit for the 21st century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality and relevant learning in Africa’
“This dovetails with my government’s ongoing policy aimed at consolidating our education system, anchored by our country’s rich heritage-based knowledge systems and driven by science, technology and innovation.
“These projects, therefore, dovetails with my Administration’s thrust to develop, modernize and transform the quality of education particularly in rural areas, towards the realization of Sustainable Development Goal 4 on quality education,” said the President.
The 17 Government schools were built countrywide and present modern facilities and resources for pupils and teachers in rural and remote communities.
His Excellency further highlighted that every child across the country must access quality education.
“Geographical location should never be an inhibitive factor that excludes communities in our rural areas from accessing quality social services.
“Every Zimbabwean, including those in rural communities, are vital cogs in our quest to realize a prosperous society under Vision 2030,” he said.
Furthermore, he added that the 17 Smart Government Schools are in line with the Heritage based curriculum 5.0 which nurtures entrepreneurs, innovators and investors who must produce goods and services.
“In this regard, the heritage-based education curriculum now promotes the teaching of Science, Technology Engineering, Arts and Mathematics disciplines.
“This has shifted the paradigms in the education sector by nurturing entrepreneurs, innovators and inventors, who must produce goods and services.
“We must nurture education systems which empower our young people with the requisite knowledge and skills so that we are able to feed ourselves, modernize and industrialize our countries to propel the development of the continent as a whole,” said the President.
Speaking at the same event Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Dr Torerai Moyo expressed his gratitude to the President Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa and his government for implementing projects in the Primary and Secondary Education Ministry with a target of ensuring quality, inclusive and equitable access to education across the entire nation.
“On behalf of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, I want to express our deep gratitude for this impactful leadership that you Your Excellency is providing through the ease of doing business as a re-engagement policy.
“It is through such policies that we are gathered here today to witness the fruits of your noble leadership,” he said.
Minister Moyo went on to highlight that education is foundation which holds the future of the nation.
“Education is the foundation upon which we build the future of our nation.
“These schools represent the critical investment in our children and in the long-term development in our community,” said Minister Moyo.
Furthermore, Minister Moyo highlighted that the 17 Smart Schools are located in remote areas thereby supporting the mantra ‘leaving no one and no place behind’
“Your Excellency these schools are symbols of your commitment to equity in education, to ensuring every child regardless of their background has access to the tools and support the needy to succeed.
“This also supports your mantra of leaving no one and no place behind. These schools are located in remote rural areas where access to education infrastructure has traditionally been limited.
“These new facilities will bring learning opportunities to communities that previously had insufficient schooling options,” said Minister Moyo.
These schools feature administration blocks, ablution facilities, Early Childhood Development blocks for the Primary schools, classrooms, computer laboratories, library and teachers’ houses.
The secondary schools have Science laboratories, over and above all the other facilities.
These 17 schools we3 constructed under a US$22 million loan facility obtained from the OPEC Fund for International Development.
These schools are Sterkroom Secondary (Chipinge), Lawrencedale Primary (Makoni), Chiedza Primary (Bindura), Tengenenge Primary (Guruve), Tashinga Secondary (Mazowe), Makumimavi Primary (Chikomba), Chehamba Primary (Hurungwe), Chinamano Secondary (Hurungwe), Chipo Primary (Makonde), Justright Primary (Mhondoro-Ngezi), Nyuni Primary and Secondary (Mwenezi), Kokoloza Primary (Binga), Tame Primary (Binga), Mokgampo Secondary (Mangwe), Budiriro Primary (Gokwe North and lastly Neta Secondary (Mberengwa).
The commissioning of the 17 Smart Schools at Makumimavi Primary School was also attended by Vice President General (Rtd) Dr CDGN Chiwenga, Mashonaland East Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Hon Senator Apollonia Munzverengwi, Mashonaland East Provincial Chairman and Minister Local Government and Public Works Hon Daniel Garwe, Deputy Minister Primary and Secondary Education Hon Angeline Gata, Chikomba East MP Hon F. T Mhona, Host MP, Chikomba West Hon T. Mavetera, other several Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Chiefs and senior government officials.
Story by Jeremiah Gora
