Construction works begin at Globe and Phoenix Primary School’s new
site
Story by Tafara Chikumira
GOOD times are set to roll for Globe and Phoenix Primary School in Kwekwe after the government led a ground-breaking ceremony at the institution’s new site this Friday.
The school was decommissioned in March this year after classroom blocks collapsed due to illegal mining activities in the area.
The ground breaking ceremony comes at a time when learners were being sheltered at the nearby Sally Mugabe Primary School.
The government through development partners then identified a four-hectare piece of land for a new school site.
“We have been facing challenges at Sally Mugabe as the structures there were blown off during this rainy season. As I speak right now, there is hot seating and we are having two classes at one school. I am very happy that today we are seeing a new dimension,” said the Provincial Director of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Mr Jameson Machimbira.
“We are very excited by the process now underway. We have been waiting for this event for a long time now. Our children are currently learning in very unpleasant experiences. We just wish the construction works were expedited,” said one of the community members.
Another added, “Some of us had already transferred our children to distant schools after witnessing the fate that had befallen the local school. Now there is real hope for our children to learn in a conducive environment.”
The government says the future of the country’s development is hinged on offering quality education.
“The focus is now to bring quality services within the five-kilometer range as we are witnessing here. Industrialisation and modernisation are driven by quality education. The establishment of this school aims at enhancing national development,” said Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Owen Ncube.
The project has since managed to attract buy-in from the business community, which has pledged to construct two blocks.
“It is only logical for us as a business community to support such initiatives which have a bearing in the communities we are operating in. The President is on record saying, “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo,” and we are here to fulfill his call,” said businessman, Dr Solomon Matsa.
The school, which is now under government’s priority projects, is set to be constructed to the tune of US$7,5 million.
