Story by Owen Mandovha
WITH treasury set to present the 2024 National Budget on Thursday, the need to increase budgetary support for construction of public schools countrywide has come under the spotlight.
It is estimated that the country’s total school’s deficit stands at nearly three thousand which has witnessed an unsustainable teacher to student ratio in most public schools, as population growth is outspacing school infrastructure development.
Zimbabwe Teachers Association chief executive officer, Dr Sifiso Ndlovu has implored Treasury to increase resource allocation to the education sector to enhance the learning environment, “We are facing an acute shortage of schools nationwide because we have not invested in new schools hence, we need to ensure that there enough resources for the construction of new schools.”
Dr Ndlovu also noted the need to prioritise teacher training and recruitment of educators, “Another issue is that of teacher recruitment whereby there is shortage of funds to recruit more teachers due to constrained teacher training facilities. The Minister need to increase funding towards recruiting teachers and construction of teacher training colleges.”
Finance and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube is expected to present the 2024 National Budget this Thursday at the New Parliament Building in Mt Hampden.
