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Conrad Mupesa

Mashonaland West Bureau

The participation of church and private companies in Government’s agenda of improving the education sector through construction of more schools has been hailed, with two primary schools and a college being set up in Mashonaland West province.

The schools are being constructed by the Roman Catholic church, ZAOGA FIF and Zion Christian Church (ZCC).

Applauding the church’s role, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland West, Mary Mliswa-Chikoka who was guest of honour during the ground-breaking ceremony at the proposed Eunor Guti Christian Primary School in Norton, said Government would improve the education sector through participation of churches and corporates.

“The role of the church in education cannot be over emphasised, especially in this era where Christian values and ethos are being fought left right and centre.

“I am proud of Amai Eunor Guti’s contribution to the education sector and the empowerment of women and the disadvantaged in our society. I am also impressed at the role that the church is playing in nation building under the Second Republic,” she said.

Minister Mliswa-Chikoka said it was through such collaborative efforts between the Government and the church that peace and prosperity obtain the country.

She said peace and prosperity were key ingredients to the attainment of Vision 2030 of an empowered upper middle income society.

“This is a high impact project that will touch the up to the grassroots level and supports Government’s drive of making Zimbabwe an upper middle economy by 2030,” she said.

Communities have also been tasked to contribute in cash or in kind to ensure the successful completion of the project.

Provincial education director, Mr Gabriel Mhumha, said the role of the church and other corporates in building schools across the province was highly appreciated.

He said there were areas in the province where children were still learning under poor conditions.

Apart from the church, companies like Delta Corporation have also chipped in to construct a four-classroom state-of-the-art block at Cheuchi Primary School in Mhangura Constituency, which is set to transform the lives of children.