Story by Tamuka Charakupa
A new boarding facility has been established in Makonde, Mashonaland West Province, amid expectations of enhanced learning outcomes in the community.
Matoranjera High School has been upgraded to become the first boarding institution for Makonde Rural District Council.
The commissioning of the facility this Tuesday has been welcomed by the local community.
“We are excited to be the pioneers of this initiative. What we liked most is the issue of discipline and commitment to quality learning,” a teacher said.
“We are faced with a shortage of computers, but we are grateful that the government, through our minister for Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Marian Chombo, has promised to deliver computers to this school,” another teacher said.
“Our school was on the verge of closing because of a drop in enrolment and standards. We welcome this new development because it means that our infrastructure outlook will improve,” a teacher added.
The local leadership is convinced that the facility will promote the quality of education.
“We are faced with a shortage of boarding schools in this district and, as a result, we are losing students to other provinces. We want to ensure that we keep our talented learners in the district so that we increase our pass rates. As a government, we are in partnership with our local authority to provide all the necessary support, including the provision of computers and digital wireless,” Makonde District Schools Inspector, Mr Solomon Katoma said.
“Our plans going forward are to construct two more hostels so that we expand our enrolment,” Makonde Rural District Council Chief Executive Officer, Dr Paradzai Munyede said.
Commissioning the boarding facility, Minister Chombo said the development will mitigate the high prevalence of teen pregnancies and drug and substance abuse.
“We have seen a growing trend of child marriages, rape, and even drug and substance abuse in rural communities. This initiative not only addresses this menace, but also facilitates an infrastructure boost, increased enrolment, and the general development of this community. At its peak, this school had over 600 learners, but enrolment downsized to just 64. We are going to ensure that we provide computers so that this school improves,” she said.
The government is on a drive to promote quality education across the country, amid calls for public-private partnerships for the upgrading and construction of schools.
