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Innocent Ruwende Senior Reporter
China has commended Zimbabwe’s continuous commitment in the education sector saying it has produced a labour force to reckon with at both regional and international level. Speaking at a handover ceremony of Shamva Ming Chang Primary School in Shamva to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Huang Ping said the Zimbabwe Government’s commitment in education is highly commendable and is bearing fruits.

The primary school was built by a Chinese company Mingchang Sino Africa Mining Investments. “Zimbabwe’s continuous commitment in the education sector is highly applauded, and your efforts are bearing fruits. The Zimbabwean labour force is undoubtedly one of the most competitive at both regional and international level.

“Zimbabwe has (had) top literacy rate in Africa for years, which is around 92 percent. In the last five months since my arrival in this beautiful country, I have met so many talented, knowledgeable, kind and friendly Zimbabweans from all walks of life,” he said.

Mr Huang said since the establishment of Ming Chang Company in 2009, it has not only provided over 350 jobs but has also offered technology training to local employees and miners.

“Today, the handover of this new primary school building at a cost of $250 000 is yet another demonstration of its commitment to contributing to local communities.”

In response to the challenges the community is facing, the Chinese embassy is also donating 10 computers to the school.

Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister Professor Paul Mavhima urged other companies to complement Government’s efforts to construct more schools in order to reduce the pupil teacher ratio.

“Government intends to construct 2 056 schools countrywide. We also want to equip primary schools with science laboratories so that we increase the number of students partaking science subjects,” he said.

Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Saviour Kasukuwere thanked the company director, Mr Xing Mingchang, for the investment he made to the local community and Shamva in particular.

“I am told that the number of children who are going to be accessing education here are over 500 children. We want companies that invest in our society. Those who extract our minerals must be prepared to invest also in the social side of our society. What Mr Mingchang did here fulfils the aspirations of our Government and that of the Shamva community.

“This is the kind of investor we would like to see in Zimbabwe. You cannot come here and loot all the resources and say it’s fine. You don’t even build a lavatory. You don’t even build a school. What Mr Mingchang is taking from here compared to other companies is insignificant,” he said.

He challenged other companies to emulate the Ming Chang Company.

Minister Kasukuwere said the company has also agreed to construct a secondary school adding that Higher and Tertiary Education Minister Prof essor Jonathan Moyo had agreed that his ministry was prepared to start a technical college in Mashonaland Central if the province identified land or existing facilities.