Zimpapers Logo

Lawrence Chitumba Mashonaland Central Correspondent
GOVERNMENT welcomes public–private partnerships that assist in improving the quality of education in underprivileged societies through the provision of a safe learning environment, decent sanitary facilities, clean and safe water and descent learning rooms, says the District Schools Inspector for Shamva, Mrs Christina Mudiwa.

Her comments follow the commissioning of a girls’ ablution block and 10 squat-hole toilets for boys at Jiti High School in Shamva, which were constructed through the assistance of SOS Zimbabwe as learners had resorted to using the bush system following the collapse of the old toilet buildings.

In a speech read on her behalf by the District Education Inspector Mr Clemence Mutembwa, Mrs Mudiwa said it was Government’s wish to see that all the children got quality education.

“Children should learn in a friendly environment in order to get quality education and therefore Government welcomes private partners like SOS to help us improve the quality of education in underprivileged societies,” she said.

“It is the wish of the Government to see that all the children get quality education which can be impossible because of financial problems. I would, therefore, like to thank SOS for removing such hindrances.”

Speaking at the same occasion, SOS Zimbabwe acting national director, Mr Admore Makunure, said children were the foundation and building blocks of society and should get assistance from senior members of the society because they deserve a safe learning environment, with descent sanitary facilities, clean safe water, descent learning rooms as well as no disturbance whatsoever from the trauma of outstanding or unpaid school fees, levies and inadequate learning materials.

He said he was aware of the water challenges that the school was facing in realising the full functionality of the girls ablution block and was encouraging more partners to join hands with the community in providing a long term solution to the water problems.