The Sunday Mail
Sunday Mail Reporter
GOVERNMENT has availed $4,6 billion for the construction of 35 primary and secondary schools across the country this year.
Currently, there are 9 778 public schools in Zimbabwe, comprising 6 798 primary and 2 980 secondary schools catering for over 4,9 million learners.
Government recently approved the construction of 3 000 new schools by 2025 because of a marked increase in enrolment.
Primary and Secondary Education Minister Dr Evelyn Ndlovu told The Sunday Mail that preliminary works had commenced.
“Government has availed $4,6 billion for the construction of 35 model schools (19 primary and 16 secondary) in all 10 provinces of the country,” Dr Ndlovu said.
“Sites for the 35 schools have been proposed. Modalities for site assessments are being finalised.
“The Department of Public Works is working on the designs by improving the drawings of the 17 OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID)-constructed schools.”
Dr Ndlovu also said some of the unregistered schools and colleges that were recently shut down have since regularised their operations.
“A total of 42 schools have also been registered after they met the registration requirements. These schools are now operational,” she said.
Government’s policy is to ensure that no child walks more than five kilometres to the nearest school.
There are also plans to increase the number of boarding facilities.
Speaking at the Independence Day celebrations in Bulawayo, President Mnangagwa said plans were already underway to construct boarding schools in each district.
Some existing day schools will be converted into boarding schools, while some low-cost boarding facilities will be constructed at existing schools when the need arises.
