Story by Providence Maraneli
The Second Republic’s commitment to the provision of quality education for its citizenry is on display after a new modern school, Mathendele Primary in Plumtree, was commissioned this Friday.
According to the 2022 census, Plumtree town has experienced a rapid growth in development coupled with a relatively high population of children of the school-going age.
It further points out that of the estimated 20 000 people that live in the border town, each homestead has an average of four people, with two being children of school-going age.
The number of schools, however, did not meet the needs of this population, with Dingumuzi Primary School accommodating almost 2000 pupils.
As such, in line with the government’s commitment to provide quality education for all, Plumtree Town Council channeled devolution funds to the construction of a new school.
Plumtree Town Secretary Mr Thembalami Nyoni said, “We noted the increase in population and the growth of the town and thought we should construct this school so that we provide quality education for our children. We used money from revenue collection and devolution funds.”
“We as Plumtree Council are in full support of Vision 2030, where we are saying education for all by 2030. Our wish is to have a lot of schools here in Plumtree by 2030 so that we don’t have children who may fail to get a place in schools. We want all children to access education. We are open to investors in education so that we transform our area,” Plumtree Town Councillor Maxwell Washaya said.
The project, which gobbled US$198 000, joins a long list of new schools constructed in Matabeleland South, including Poli-Magama in Matobo, Jonsley Primary in Gwanda and Pezulu Primary School teachers quarters in Insiza, as the government commits to the provision of quality education to its citizenry.
“The coming in of Mathendele decongest schools in this town, the ministry remains committed to fulfilling the potential of learners in the education sector, provision of better access and quality education to every pupil and this remains very key. By investing in schools, the government is investing in future leaders who will drive Zimbabwe to a prosperous economy,” Matabeleland Provincial Education Director Mrs Beatrice Manjere said.
The government is on a massive drive to transform the education sector as the country surges towards Vision 2030.
Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Dr Evelyn Ndlovu said, “Government is committed to providing access to quality, accessible and inclusive education, thus embarked on a deliberate strategy to address education infrastructure countrywide including her in Mat South. This initiative is meant to address the infrastructure gap and, decline in literacy and numeracy levels in this part of the region. This development seeks to address accessibility and reduction in distances travelled by our learners.”
Mathendele Primary School will service new suburbs like Mathendele and ZBS as well as decongesting old schools like Matiwaza, Allan Redfern, and Dingumuzi Primary Schools, with a combined population of 3460 pupils.
