Boost for Chimanimani schools

Takunda Maodza Manicaland Bureau Chief
THE British Council Zimbabwe has handed over textbooks to 42 schools in Chimanimani and urged the international community to help schools in the district which were ravaged by Cyclone Idai in March this year.
Chimanimani district has 101 primary and secondary schools.

Each primary school got 300 textbooks, while each secondary school received 200.
Speaking at the handover ceremony on Tuesday at Biriiri High School in Chimanimani, the British Council Zimbabwe country director Mr Roland Davies said it engaged its partners when it saw how Cyclone Idai had affected schools in the district.

“We heard about what had happened to the schools and we thought about what we could do and engaged our partners Book Aid International and they quickly mobilised and we were able to put together a good consignment of books,” said Mr Davies.
He explained why it had taken them longer to deliver the books.

“It took us a little bit of time to get them here, but probably now it is a good time because the reconstruction has progressed,” said Mr Davies. “It is the good time to see this support.

“We will look at what further support we can offer both through books and other kinds of support, particularly through teacher training and training for school leaders.

“It is a terrible thing that happened here and it is very important that the international community, in this case the British Council and other organisations, give this kind of support. Education is so central to people’s lives.”
Primary and Secondary Education permanent secretary Tumisang Thabela witnessed the handover of the books and thanked the British Council for the assistance.

“Today marks another important milestone in the educational life of Chimanimani District,” she said. “It is another day we are confirming as a ministry on behalf of Government working together with our valued partners, the British Council and the Book Aid International, that your plight as Manicaland, your plight as Chimanimani, has not been forgotten.

“That, in fact, the experience you went through during Cyclone Idai, has drawn the rest of the education family even closer to you. As we stand with you, and we will stand with you through it all until normalcy is regained in Chimanimani because you are part of the education family in Zimbabwe,” said Mrs Thabela.

Manicaland provincial education director Mr Edward Shumba said the province was excited by the donation.
“The books covered 42 primary and secondary schools,” he said. “Some primary schools, most of them, received a library in a box, which I believe will be very useful to cultivate the culture of reading. I also want to believe that this aid came in handy when our schools are now ready for development.

“They have been affected by Cyclone Idai, but I think it is now time we move on and the best way to move on is to ensure that the children have the resources to continue with their lives. This injection will stimulate us to greater life and greater productivity.”

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