Story by Mercy Bofu-Matinha
THE government has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting inclusive education by equipping rural and special schools in Masvingo Province with critical learning tools and resources.
On Friday, over 30 schools across the province benefited from a government initiative which saw the distribution of ICT equipment, agricultural tools, and assistive devices for learners with disabilities.
Speaking after receiving the equipment, representatives from the beneficiary schools expressed gratitude for the government’s ongoing efforts to bridge the educational divide between rural and urban learners.
“Today is a great day for us as Chilonga School in Chiredzi, we received a printer and now it means we will be able to print reading material and exams for our children,” a community member said.
“Our children with disability have been struggling to come to school, move around and participate in school activities. We are happy that some of them have received wheelchairs and learning assistive devices. This will go a long way in improving children with disability’s access to education,” another community member said.
Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Ezra Chadzamira who commissioned and handed over the consignment said the government’s goal is to transform the education sector sentiments shared by the Provincial Education Director, Ms Shylette Mhike.
“Today’s programme is a clear demonstration that our government is striving to ensure our children have equal access to education. Vision 2030 is knowledge-driven hence the importance of capacitating and increasing the number of schools across the country.
“Currently there are a lot of developments happening in our schools, computer laboratories being built, classroom blocks and other developments in these are projects towards improving access to education by our government,” she said.
Apart from capacitating rural schools, the government is also building more learning institutions, and computer laboratories and ensuring they are electrified among other developments in the country.
