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Dr Dokora

Freeman Razemba Senior Reporter
Government is creating opportunities for joint venture partnerships to accelerate the construction of requisite infrastructure for new schools through the ZimAsset economic blueprint, a Cabinet minister has said. Primary and Secondary Education Minister Dr Lazarus Dokora said this on Wednesday while addressing the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, which is chaired by Cde Never Khanye (Matobo North) during a tour of Hatcliffe Friendship High School. Construction of Hatcliffe Friendship High School, which is being built by the Chinese, started in May last year, with Dr Dokora laying the foundation stone.

Addressing the legislators, Dr Dokora said the model school design met space requirements and addressed the vision and equity in education. We want to express our sincere gratitude to the Chinese government and the China State Construction Engineering Corporation who made the success we are witnessing here today possible. As you may be aware, my ministry – in conjunction with the Ministries of Finance and Economic Development and Local Government, Rural Development and National Housing – is creating opportunities for joint venture partnerships to accelerate the construction of requisite infrastructure for new schools. These activities are borne out of the ZimAsset approach to development which encourages partnerships and complementary synergies,” he said.

Dr Dokora said besides the facilities and infrastructure, quality education was achieved through quality personnel at schools, the community that supports the school and the learners who graduate from the school. He said the Chinese had shown that they were all-weather friends by joining hands with Government, as the school was long overdue considering the growth and expansion of Hatcliffe Extension.

“The construction of the school will be instrumental to the fulfilment of my ministry’s mandate premised on the lofty vision of provision of quality and relevant education for socio-economic transformation,” said Dr Dokora.

“Education is both a right and the bedrock of our socio-economic development as a nation.” Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Huang Ping said Zimbabwe’s continuous commitment in the education sector was highly commendable.

“China and Zimbabwe are good friends, good partners and good brothers,” he said. “Our friendship dates back to the freedom struggle of Zimbabwe and withstands the test of time. We have a very good and successful cooperation in all areas. Taking education for an example, the Chinese government has donated several primary and secondary schools to Zimbabwe, including Amai Mugabe Junior School, Lupane Primary School, Zimbabwe-China Friendship School in Bindura, etc. We have also donated school desks and chairs, computers, textbooks and stationery to many schools.” Mr Huang said during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2015, the Chinese Government pledged 2 000 degree education opportunities and 30 000 government scholarships to African countries in three years.