Story by Aifheli Mudau
THE government has announced the release of funds to construct over 80 schools across the country, with Bulilima District in Matabeleland South Province set to be among the key beneficiaries.
The move comes after authorities observed that some children in Bulilima walk more than 20 kilometres to the nearest secondary school, a distance far beyond international standards. In response, the government has committed financial resources to assist rural communities in establishing more accessible learning institutions.
“We are very grateful to hear the Minister saying the government has already availed the funds to build a new school here in Tokwana and this will help us to fight school dropouts,” a community member said.
“It will save us, especially girls so that we get our education nearer to our homes to avoid a lot of problems that we meet on our way to school,” a student said.
“We really appreciate this move by the government to assist us with school building and we hope it will go a long way in benefiting our children,” a parent said.
Speaking at an Early Warning System Cluster Workshop in Tokwana High School in Bulilima district, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Honourable Torerai Moyo revealed the government’s commitment to build more schools, especially in rural areas.
“The government is on a mission to build more than 80 schools, especially in rural areas and we are also going to build a school here in Bulilima after observing that some children are travelling for a distance exceeding 20 kilometres against the international conventions and we have the funding that will be availed to the community leaders and us as a ministry we will construct the school,” he said.
The Early Warning Systems initiative is an innovation designed to reduce school dropouts and is anchored on three pillars which include Reduce, Retain and Readmit.
The government continues to empower pupils through education by providing safety nets that include the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM), a facility which pays school fees for vulnerable children.
Meanwhile, Minister Moyo also took time to visit the methodist-run Thekwane High School.
