Story by Tafara Chikumira, Midlands Bureau Chief
DEVOLUTION funds have become a practical development tool across the country after the commissioning of an Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre in Mvuma.
The Second Republic continues to address the schools’ deficit, with the establishment of Blinkwater Early Childhood Development Centre in Mvuma district expected to improve access to education, with plans afoot to develop the facility into a fully-fledged primary school in the near future.
The ECD centre, with a carrying capacity of 100 learners has been welcomed as a game changer in the educational needs of the Mvuma community.
“We decided to establish an ECD Blinkwater block after realising that children were exposed to danger by crossing major highways to school. We establish this school using devolution funds and council funds. After that, we are also going to develop a primary school here. We are indeed grateful to the government for releasing the devolution funds in time,” Mvuma Rural District Council chief executive officer, Mr Lovemore Chatikobo said.
The community is equally excited by the new facility which confirms the Second Republic’s inclusive development is in motion.
“Our young children used to travel long distances. So with this facility is going to be helpful. We did not expect this from our President. What he did, we hope this will be taken to some other areas, around here. At least it shows that our government has a good vision, and also recognises young learners from this area,” said one local resident.
“The construction of this block has helped a lot here. The reason being that the learners used to travel long distances. We thank our government for addressing this issue. In fact, there was no school at all around this place. I want to commend our government for the sterling efforts in mobilising locally available resources towards construction of the ECD centre,” added another.
The government has promised to continue with its developmental trajectory in line with Vision 2030.
“I applaud the new dispensation under the able and visionary leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa of the Republic of Zimbabwe for implementing rural development 8,0 vision 2030 accelerator model in an endeavour to modernise and industrialise marginalised areas underpinned by the development approach of leaving no one and no place behind,” Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Owen Ncube said.
“The Second Republic through the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, local authorities and private sector, is providing modern infrastructure to ensure all learners both in rural and urban schools are empowered to excel in their studies.
“Devolution funds allocated to local authorities have transformed the educational infrastructure through the construction of classroom blocks and computer laboratories.
“Comrades and friends, today’s occasion demonstrates another milestone achievement by the Second Republic under the visionary leadership of His Excellency the President in transforming the education sector through infrastructure development and adoption of heritage-based curriculum starting 2025.”
The ECD centre has been described as testimony of how the Second Republic is committed to providing education infrastructure countrywide.
