Story by Mercy Bofu-Matinha
THE introduction of school business units by the government has transformed the face of learning institutions with many now running successful agricultural projects.
In July 2023, President Emmerson Mnangagwa commissioned the Chinorumba High School business unit comprising a solar-powered borehole, fish ponds and a one-hectare horticulture garden.
In less than two years, the project has seen learners at the institution going beyond textbooks as they are running successful agriculture projects.
“We are excited about this project which was launched by our President, Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa. We do our agriculture lessons here and many of us are now able to do fish farming, grow horticulture crops and prepare our soils. This goes beyond schools as we are now assisting our parents back home to enhance agriculture,” pupil, Tom Venus, said.
“With this project, we are now getting nutritious meals here at school. We learn a lot about fish farming, including the construction of fish ponds. Again we get our vegetables here for the school feeding programme and the excess is for sale,” another pupil, Ethel Hasha added.
The institution harvested their fish for sale this Thursday and the school authorities confirm that they have managed to expand the learning institution through income generated from agriculture projects with the community also benefitting.
“The farming projects here including fisheries have opened up new possibilities at our school. After harvesting we sell our produce to the community and for today we are selling our fish at $US4 per kg. From the monies we get here we have managed to buy school furniture, tiling of our blocks and ceiling among many developments,” the SDC Chairperson for Chinorumba High School, Ms Tanzania Kwangwari said.
“These school business units have a positive impact on our education, food security and environmental sustainability. Here in Zaka we have many at our schools and we have seen a decline in school dropouts through the enhanced school feeding programme, our children are learning agriculture skills as supported by the new heritage-based curriculum,” a representative of the Zaka District Schools Inspector, Mr Tawand Fusirai said.
The Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Honourable Davis Marapira says the government remains committed to supporting schools and community development through fish farming.
“Today we are witnessing the success story of President Mnangagwa’s agriculture projects. Chinorumba High School is proving that fish farming can bring change to our learning institutions hence we are saying by harnessing the power of aquaculture, a steady supply of nutritious protein is ensured for our pupils and the community. Our school children are important to the national drive to enhance aquaculture skills hence we support fish farming in schools,” Honourable Marapira said.
School business units are part of the implementation of a heritage-based education curriculum which emphasises the importance of skills development and innovation.
