Liberty Mutamba
PLUMTREE – THE Government’s inclusivity drive is paying dividends in Mangwe District, after the commissioning of Mathendele Primary School, which will ease congestions in schools and ensure the provision of quality education.
The pupil-teacher ratio is on the rise in Matabeleland South Province due to population growth and because of the few schools in the province. Plumtree Town is also grappling with a surge in numbers where schools like Dingimuzi Primary and Phakamani High have an enrolment of more than 2 000 and 900 pupils respectively.
Plumtree Council channelled Devolution funds towards the construction of Mathendele Primary School in order to ease congestion.
Town Secretary, Thembelani Nyoni, said: “The Government’s disbursement of Devolution funds has enabled us to undertake this vital project. We strategically allocated these funds towards the construction of this school, prioritising the educational needs of our community. We combined Devolution and our in-house revenue amounting to US$198 000. As a council, we are open to investors who want to invest in our border town for a noble growth.”
The school joins 468 schools in the province. Matabeleland South Province Education Director, Beatrice Manjere, confirmed that there was need to construct more schools.
“We are pleased by what Plumtree Town Council has done for our school- going children. This is a fruitful journey. The construction of this school is going to ease congestion in other local schools.
“The Ministry’s role is to provide access to quality education to children. We are committed to fulfilling the potential of learners in the education system. By Investing in school the Government is nurturing future innovators, leaders, engineers among others,” said PED Manjere.
The Government is reaffirming its commitment to attaining Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which seeks to ensure inclusive, equitable, and quality education for all, while promoting lifelong learning opportunities.
Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Matabeleland South, said: “Plumtree has experienced rapid growth in development, coupled with a relatively high population of children of school- going age as evidenced by the results of the last population census of 2022, with an average household having four people.
“Of these four, two are of school-going age. Education being one of the pillars towards Vision2030, this school will provide a nurturing environment, where young minds can grow, explore, and discover their full potential. Education 5.0 is centred on creating a student-centred learning environment that emphasises innovation, industrialisation, and entrepreneurship. As we commission this school, we do so with the knowledge that it will be a hub of activity, a centre of learning, and a source of pride for our community.
“Mathendele Primary School represents a beacon of hope, a symbol of commitment to education, and a testament to the power of collaboration by the Government of Zimbabwe, Plumtree Town Council and various stakeholders who joined hands to construct this facility,” said Dr Ndlovu.
The school will de-congest surrounding schools like Dingimuzi Primary which has an enrolment of 1968, Alan Redfern 801 and Matiwaza 676, among
