Government committed to rural science education

MBERENGWA – The Government through the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is
committed at ensuring that learners in both rural and urban centres have the opportunity to explore
all disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Heritage Studies.
Neta Secondary School under Chief Bvute is a classic example of a rural school that has embraced
digitalisation.

The school has interactive boards and overhead projectors in classrooms used with state of the art
laptops.
Minister of Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Midlands Province Owen Ncube indicated that it is
Government’s desire to see rural areas enjoy the same modern facilities that are available in urban
areas.

“The Ministry of Education, OPEC Fund for International Development and the local communities
partnered to establish four classrooms with two blocks each, a two-wing science laboratory, one
computer laboratory, a two-wing library, five ablution facilities, 10 staff houses, nine interactive
boards, two by 5000-litre tanks, plumbing of all staff quarters and electrification of the school,”
Ncube said.

Minister Ncube who was speaking during the commissioning at the school highlighted the hard work
by the Second Republic towards achieving a middle-income society by 2030 by providing quality
education.

“This school marks a landmark achievement of the Second Republic in our pursuit of an upper
middle-income society by 2030 as it provides improved access and quality education to learners
including those with disabilities,” Ncube said.

The minister applauded the partnership between government and other countries through OFID
which supports the new dispensation’s engagement and re-engagement philosophy.
“This fruitful Public Private Partnership is proof that Government is working tirelessly to address
challenges faced by our education sector especially in the rural areas,” he said.
The commissioning of the school comes at a time when the government is implementing the
competence-based Education 5.0.
However Ncube was worried with the continued drug and substance abuse by both youths and
adults.

“Government is concerned with the surge in drug and substance abuse among youth both in school
and out of school.

“Addiction to drugs threatens economic recovery, growth and unity of purpose. I urge all parents,
guardians, teachers and community leaders to play a pivotal role in drug reduction and rehabilitation
of victims.

“All those found supplying these harmful drugs will be prosecuted.”

“Our schools should remain centres of excellence that produce productive graduates,” Ncube said.