Sharon Chigeza

MUTARE – In a major initiative to improve educational access to rural students, particularly girls, the Government has commissioned low-cost boarding facilities at Mhakwe and Ndima Secondary Schools.

This development aims to address the long and exhausting journeys that students from remote villages previously endured to attend school.

The establishment of these boarding facilities has ended the long journeys students had to endure to attend lessons with some walking over 10km each way. Parents and community members have welcomed this initiative, citing the affordability and security it offers to vulnerable learners.

“I have a child in Form Three, and we live in Chayamiti village, which is 19km away. This boarding facility is a huge relief for us. We are only paying US$37 per month, which is affordable,” said a grateful parent, expressing the collective sentiment of many families in the region.

Beyond the convenience of improved access to education, the project addresses several pressing social challenges. In the past, girls were often forced to secure accommodation in unsafe environments near shopping centres, a situation that put them at risk of early pregnancies and other vulnerabilities.

“Before this, many girls had no choice but to stay near the shops, where they were exposed to early marriages and a high risk of contracting HIV and other STIs. Now, they have a safer and more structured learning environment,” explained a local villager, underscoring the significant social impact of the new facilities.

School authorities and development partners report that the new boarding facilities are already yielding positive results.

“This facility accommodates 59 students who were previously walking over 15 kilometres to school. The intervention has significantly reduced dropout rates and early marriages,” noted Mhakwe High School Head, Collin Muushwa.

The construction of the boarding facilities was made possible through collaboration between the Government and various development partners.

Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Misheck Mugadza, shared details on the funding and construction process: “We were assisted by the Global Fund through UNDP to construct this structure. We allocated US$170,000 to build the boarding facilities at Mhakwe and Ndima schools and spent an additional US$36,000 to purchase furniture. Furthermore, we installed a solar-powered borehole and fencing at a cost of US$16,000 for both schools.”

Minister Mugadza reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to ensuring access to quality education for all students.

“We want to thank our President Emmerson Mnangagwa for spearheading these low-cost boarding facilities constructed with the help of our development partners. More importantly, our children are being taught life skills here to help them become self-sustainable. They are involved in poultry and fishery projects while continuing their education. The Ndima boarding facility mirrors what we have set up at Mhakwe. Our Government aims to establish similar business units at all boarding facilities like these,” he stated.

The initiative is part of the Government’s broader vision to enhance educational infrastructure and access, with plans to construct over 120 new schools this year. This bold step reflects an ongoing commitment to building a future where every child, especially those in rural areas, has the opportunity to receive quality education in safe and supportive environments.

With the new boarding facilities in place, the hope is that students in Chimanimani will not only achieve academic success but will also grow in a manner that equips them with critical life skills and resilience for the future.