Story by Nyasha Makota
THE Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the protection and advancement of children’s rights, emphasising that policy pledges must be matched with practical implementation.
This year’s World Children’s Day commemorations, held in Harare this Friday under the theme “My Day, My Rights, From Promises to Action,” placed education and digital inclusion at the centre of national efforts to secure the well-being of every child.
Addressing delegates, the Minister of State for Harare Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Senator Charles Tawengwa, said education remained the anchor of Zimbabwe’s long-term development vision.
“Education remains the cornerstone of our national vision. It is the foundation upon which we will build a brighter future for every child in Zimbabwe.”
The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Honourable Torerai Moyo, outlined progress made in expanding learning infrastructure and improving access to digital resources, saying the Government intended to ensure that “no child is left behind.”
“Government is committed to transforming promises into tangible action. Between 2022 and 2025, we have constructed not less than 600 schools countrywide, especially in new suburbs and rural areas.”
Honourable Moyo added that the country was embarking on a major digitalisation drive designed to bridge the urban-rural divide.
“We are introducing smart classrooms by giving computers to marginalised schools. We have procured 20 000 Starlink kits to connect our schools, prioritising rural areas,” he said.
His remarks aligned with the appeal made by the Child President, His Excellency Lionel Mazarire, who urged that commitments made to children must be visible in their daily lives.
“We are grateful to the government for prioritising us as children. But children’s rights should not just be ink on paper; they must translate into tangible action.”
World Children’s Day is celebrated every year on 20 November to promote international solidarity and awareness for children’s welfare.
