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Talent Chimutambgi-Herald Reporter

The Constituency Development Fund (CDF) has paid dividends with the construction of a new school in Murehwa North constituency rescuing young pupils from walking long distances to schools.

The development has benefited many children attending Early Childhood Development (ECD) classes and cannot be expected to walk more than nine kilometres every day.

Most parents would accompany their children in the morning and in the afternoon to and from school for the safety of the pupils, hence the initiative has lessened the burden on parents and guardians as well.

The construction of Njedza Primary School will benefit more than 13 villages in the catchment area of Ward 3 making education accessible to all without difficulties.

This has coincided with the new curriculum of Education 5.0 being spearheaded by the Government that conforms with international standards.

Education 5.0 is industrial based education meant to churn out pupils capable of bolstering industrial development.

The school was constructed with the bigger chunk drawn from the CDF and the collective effort of Murehwa Rural District Council as well as the community which provided the much needed labour.

The school started functioning in 2022 with an enrolment of 59 pupils at ECD level and the development conforms with the Government’s vision of ensuring the right of children to education, health and good care.

Children were bearing the brunt of long distances and the nearby schools were Rupange and Chingwaru which were seven and nine kilometres away respectively.

 National Housing and Social Amenities Minister Daniel Garwe, who is the constituency’s House of Assembly member, said President Mnangagwa was living up to his word of encompassing everyone in developmental programmes.

Minister Garwe said Zimbabwe stood firm on encouraging education adding the country was topping educational rankings in Africa.

“The Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa was committed to ensuring education for all in remote and formerly marginalised areas under the mantra of leaving no one and no place behind,” said Min Garwe.

“We understand that as a new school you need access to clean water. President Mnangagwa allocated boreholes in all places to ensure clean water. This school will get the borehole under this ward’s allocation.

Minister Garwe pledged to render support to construct more classroom blocks and donated 100 bags of cement for the project.

Minister Garwe said the Government adopted Education 5.0 to churn out graduates with practical know-how of industrial development.

“The Government adopted Education 5.0 which distinguishes our education system from that of the colonial era where students were prepared to work under someone rather than to be a champion of industrial development which is conducive for economic growth of the country,” said Min Garwe.

He said children should desist from taking drugs reiterating that President Mnangagwa was discouraging the vice which was becoming rampant among youths.

“Let it be our collective responsibility as parents to join hands to nurture the young generation in order to realise President Mnangagwa’s vision since young people are the future of the country,” he said.

Minister Garwe urged people to desist from a culture of violence ahead during harmonised elections scheduled for August this year.

He encouraged people to vote for President Mnangagwa and the ruling Zanu PF party to eliminate discord in developmental programmes.

“President Mnangagwa is a visionary leader, a pragmatic leader who is determined to turn over a new page for the country with clear policies.”

“I urge you to vote for Zanu PF led by President Mnangagwa who is our sole candidate in the coming elections and also for members of Parliament and councillors from Zanu PF to ensure smooth running of development programmes,” said Minister Garwe.

“We don’t expect a situation whereby we have both a Member of Parliament and councillors garnering more votes than the President. We want the President to win resoundingly,” he said.

Council chairman Alderman Amos Gutu thanked President Mnangagwa and said the development was a major propeller to attain the country’s set goals.

District Schools Inspector for Murehwa Mrs Christine Tsodzo said they were happy to see the development as children were walking long distances to access education.

“My office will provide proper supervision for the school to operate under the expected guidelines as well as policy compliance as required by the Government,” she said

Mrs Tsodzo urged parents to monitor their children to curb the rampant abuse of drugs in schools.