Story by Tamuka Charakupa
Private players have been commended for supporting the education sector, with Tendera Primary School in Makonde being the latest to receive furniture from a local farmer.
The gesture, according to learners and parents, addresses the learning gap which widely contributed to low enrolment and poor pass rates at the school.
“We were recording very low pass rates because learners had no motivation to come to school and the lack of learning materials also forced parents to transfer their children to better schools.”
“Our learners are very excited today because over the years, they were attending classes without furniture,” noted a teacher.
A learner said, “The majority of our parents do not pay school fees, making it difficult for the school’s authorities to drive development here.”
Local farmer and businessman, Mr Dominic Jairos said the gesture is a direct response to the Call to Action Policy, which urges collective efforts to national development.
He said, “I am a beneficiary of the land reform and this donation is my way of giving back to the community. I believe the private sector has a role to play in community development so that we cut the burden on our government.”
Makonde District Schools Inspector, Mr Solomon Katoma buttressed the need for a collective effort towards supporting the educational sector.
“As government, we cannot do it alone as such we welcome such individuals who see gaps and respond to them. We are embarking on an educational transformation drive under the heritage-based curriculum and it is our duty as parents to ensure that our children are adequately supported to strive.”
The Second Republic is promoting public-private partnerships under the National Development Strategy 1, which is the vehicle for the national vision of an upper-middle-income society by 2030.
