Story by Mercy Bofu-Matinha
A severe hailstorm has caused extensive damage at Marongere Primary School in Masvingo North, ripping roofs off classroom blocks and destroying vital learning materials.
The violent storm, accompanied by strong winds, tore away roofing sheets and left textbooks and other educational resources damaged, prompting school authorities to urgently mobilise resources for repairs ahead of the reopening of schools.
Marongere Primary School SDC Chairperson, Ms Getrude Chapungu, confirmed the incident and expressed relief that no pupils were harmed.
“The incident occurred on a Sunday, and we thank God that the school was closed, so no pupils were injured. However, the hailstorm destroyed two classroom blocks and learning materials. Roofing sheets were blown away, and we are now working to mobilise resources for repairs,” she said.
Members of the local community have since begun pooling available resources, while appealing for additional support to fully restore the damaged infrastructure.
“This school serves the entire Marongere community, so we are working together to mobilise resources to start repairing the affected blocks,” said one community member.
“The response from the community has been encouraging, but as this is a rural school, we still require further assistance to complete the repairs,” added another.
Masvingo North legislator, Mr Brian Mudhumi, who recently visited the school to assess the damage, said efforts are underway to address the situation.
“We visited the school to assess the extent of the damage. We have engaged Mushagashe Vocational Training Centre to assist with rebuilding the affected blocks, and we are hopeful that by the time schools reopen, the classrooms will have been restored,” he said.
With schools set to reopen soon, the Marongere community remains hopeful that timely intervention will help restore a safe and conducive learning environment for pupils.
