Story by Providence Maraneli
ACCESS to education in Filabusi is improving as the Second Republic continues to channel devolution funds toward expanding infrastructure in underserved communities. The Insiza Rural District Council has completed the construction of Bekezela Primary School to accommodate the growing number of learners in the town.
According to the 2022 Census, Filabusi has more than 12 000 residents, with over 5 000 children of school-going age. Until recently, the town had only two primary schools, creating significant pressure on existing facilities.
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Filabusi Government Primary School, which has just nine classrooms had to manage more than 20 classes, resulting in severe congestion and learners attending lessons in makeshift spaces.
Parents and guardians say the opening of Bekezela Primary School has brought relief.
“This town is growing, and it had become difficult for our children to learn properly, there was massive hot sitting, and the children were complaining that sometimes they learn at the country club.
“We feel relieved because now we just walk our children in and the new school is actually beautiful, we are grateful,” parents and guardians said.
Bekezela Primary School School Development Committee Chairperson, Mr Pilate Siziba, said the project demonstrates the value of devolved funding.
“We constructed this school with the help of devolution funds from the council; it has done wonders for our education sector,” he said.
The school, which has already opened its doors to learners, has an enrolment of more than 500 learners.
“As RDC, it gives us joy that we made use of the devolution funds to do something good, now we have built a future for our children,” Insiza RDC Council Chairperson, Cde Luke Dube said.
“Devolution has impacted quite a lot in our communities. Bekezela is not the only project that we managed to do, there are quite a number,” Insiza RDC, Human Resources and Administration Officer, Mr Sikhumbuzo Msipha said.
Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Albert Nguluvhe, said the initiative demonstrates the power of partnership between the State and communities.
“It gives me great pride to share the inspiring journey that led to the establishment of Bekezela Primary School, a shining example of community-driven development supported by visionary leadership and Government commitment. The idea of setting up this school was first proposed in early 2018, born out of the urgent need expressed by the local community.
“At the heart of this call was the severe overcrowding at Filabusi Government Primary School, which could no longer cope with the rising number of learners in the area. The situation risked affecting learning quality and overburdening teachers and students, but progress was slow due to limited resources, as the community couldn’t fund the project on its own,” he said.
Bekezela Primary School joins a long list of new schools that have been constructed in the province using devolution funds and the Constituency Development Fund, which include Zompata, Ndiweni, Mathendele and Poli Magama.
