Government completes 105 new schools in major boost to education sector

Patrick Chitumba, patrick.chitumba@chronicle.co.zw 

IN a significant boost to the country’s education sector, the Government has announced the completion of 105 new schools across urban and rural areas this year. This substantial investment underscores the Government’s commitment to enhancing the country’s educational landscape and ensuring equitable access to quality education for all citizens.

According to Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Torerai Moyo, the construction of these new schools marks a significant milestone in the Government’s efforts to provide quality education to all citizens. The Government’s commitment to education is evident in its efforts to improve school infrastructure.

“In a significant investment aimed at enhancing the country’s landscape, the government constructed 105 new schools across urban and rural areas this year alone. This move will improve access to quality education,” he said.

Minister Moyo highlighted that this substantial investment in education is poised to make a lasting impact on the country’s future. He emphasised that as the education sector continues to evolve, the Government is committed to providing the necessary resources to ensure that all citizens have access to quality education.

“We have a deficit in terms of the number of schools that we want to construct to the tune of 2 800 new schools in 2024. As a ministry, we have managed to construct 105 new schools. These are schools that have been built by the government through disbursements from the fiscus. We also have public-private partnerships, which have resulted in the development of other new schools,” said the Minister.

He said that the Government is seeking to reduce the travelling distance for learners accessing the nearest school, in line with international standards, which stipulate that the distance must not exceed five kilometres.

“We want to reduce the walking or travelling distance of students from their homes to the school. It should be within the recommended international convention that students should not walk for more than five kilometres,” said Minister Moyo.

The Government’s investment in educational infrastructure aligns with Sustainable Development Goal number four, which targets ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all citizens.

More than 10 000 teachers have been employed and deployed to schools nationwide this year alone, aligning with President Mnangagwa’s job creation drive. In recent years, President Mnangagwa’s administration has made significant strides in improving education outcomes.