Story by Tafara Chikumira
GOVERNMENT has commissioned Makweva School in Zvishavane, as the Second Republic forges ahead with the drive to improve the quality of education in rural communities.
The government’s rural industrialisation drive is getting a positive response, after the setting up of a private school with smart features in rural Mabasa in the Zvishavane District.
The setting up of the modern school is a brainchild of Mr Charles Kunjana who had a difficult upbringing due to a lack of such facilities.
“I grew up in this area and faced several challenges as I was going to school. I made a vow that when I am coming back there is only one thing I intend to change and that is the state of education in the area.
“I said to myself there is a need to kick out poverty and what better way to deal with poverty than improving the education of the area? The President’s call for Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo mantra is pregnant with meaning and we are heading his call,” said Mr Kunjana.
The community is equally excited by the new development in their area.
“This area was a bush but today we have something to show off. We are proud of one of our own who has realised the need to invest back in his community.
“The idea of having the school has indeed removed a heavy burden for our children. Our Children would start schooling at an advanced stage of seven years for ECD. It was a nightmare because of the Runde River. During rainy season some would even miss school,” said community members.
The government has pledged maximum support for the school’s development.
Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Dr Torerayi Moyo said, “The time for rhetoric and begging bowl should be a thing of the past. I call upon us all to rally behind our President, His Excellency, Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa and develop ourselves. May I call upon more development partners to rally behind the government towards infrastructure development, especially in the education sector?”
With the country having school infrastructure backlog of nearly three thousand schools, such community initiatives are playing a huge role in narrowing the existing gap.
