By Kenias Chivuzhe
In a significant step towards improving access to education, the government has commissioned low-cost boarding facilities at Mhakwe and Ndima Secondary Schools in Chimanimani, providing a vital solution for rural learners, particularly girls, who previously endured long and exhausting journeys to school.
The initiative is proving transformative for students from remote villages, many of whom had to walk over 10 kilometres to attend classes. Parents and community members have welcomed the development, citing its affordability and the security it provides for vulnerable learners.
“I have a child in Form Three, and we live in Chayamiti village, which is 19 kilometres away. This boarding facility is a huge relief for us. We are only paying US$37 per month, which is affordable,” said a grateful parent.
Beyond convenience, the project is helping to address social challenges such as early pregnancies and school dropouts, which were common among students forced to seek accommodation in unsafe environments near shopping centres.
“Before this, many girls had no choice but to stay near the shops, where they were exposed to early marriages and a high risk of contracting HIV and other STIs. Now, they have a safer and more structured learning environment,” said a local villager.
According to school authorities and development partners, the new boarding facilities are already yielding positive results.
“This facility accommodates 59 students who were previously walking over 15 kilometres to school. The intervention has significantly reduced dropout rates and early marriages,” said Mhakwe High School Head, Mr Collin Muushwa.
The construction of the facilities was made possible through collaboration between the government and development partners.
“We were assisted by the Global Fund through UNDP to construct this structure. We used US$170 000 to construct the boarding facilities at Mhakwe and Ndima schools and we also used US$ 36 000 to buy furniture. As NAC we sunk a solar-powered borehole and put a fence amounting to US$16 000 for the two schools, Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza said.
Advocate Mugadza pledged the government’s commitment to improve access to quality education.
“We want to thank our president Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa for spearheading low-cost boarding facilities which were constructed with the assistance of development partners. What is more pleasing is that our children are being taught life skills here to be self-sustainable. They are doing poultry and fishery projects but at the same time being afforded the ability to learn. Ndima boarding facility is similar to this facility at Mhakwe. Our government will establish business units at all boarding facilities like these ones,” he said.
The government is targeting to construct over 120 schools this year as part of strides to improve access to education.
