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Lovemore Kadzura Rusape Correspondent
MAKONI Rural District Council Ward 12 Councillor Obert Gonzo has sourced 80 000 textbooks for distribution to all 17 primary and secondary schools in his ward.

Clr Gonzo, who is also the director of Family Visions Child Support, a Non-Governmental Organisation, sourced the books from Zambezi Schools Book Project, a United States-based group.

Besides the textbooks, Clr Gonzo sourced and donated 96 computers to three secondary schools. The books have come as a huge relief to the schools, which are financially incapacitated.

The textbooks cover key subjects like Mathematics, History, English, Geography, Art, Leisure, Literature and Early Childhood Development. In an interview, Clr Gonzo said he discovered that there was an acute shortage of textbooks in the schools, which was one of the factors leading to poor pass rates. He said the books were relevant and in tandem with the new curriculum.

“I sourced the books from Zambezi Schools Book Project which is based in the United States of America and they have so far availed 80 000 textbooks which we have since distributed in 17 primary and secondary schools in Ward 12,” said Clr Gonzo.

“We are considering to expand the programme in the whole Headlands constituency so that every learner has access to a textbook. I was approached by a number of schools complaining that parents were not paying school fees and it was affecting the procurement of textbooks and I had to contact my friends in the United States of America and they responded positively and generously.

“The books are so relevant and learners will benefit immensely. Some schools were getting as much as 2 500 books depending on the size of their libraries. As a councillor, this is my contribution in complementing Government’s efforts to educate the nation.”