Zimpapers Logo

Takunda Maodza Manicaland Bureau Chief
Pupils are learning in roofless classrooms at some schools in Manicaland which were damaged by heavy storms in November.
The storms followed Cyclone Idai which hit the province in March.

The damaged primary schools include Kwirire, Nyambeya, Chikukwa and Manase.
Built in 1981 and owned by Chimanimani Rural District Council, Kwirire Primary School has 1 154 pupils and is the most affected after a storm in November removed the roofs of five classrooms.
Repair works have not started.

In some instances, resources were provided for the repair of the schools, but were destroyed by storms after responsible departments took long to use them.

At Kwirire Primary, building materials worth thousands of dollars, including 150 bags of cement, were destroyed after a violent storm blew off roofs of the rooms where they were stored.

The Herald visited some of the schools last week to assess progress made in repairing the damaged infrastructure.
“We are learning in the roofless classrooms. At times it is very hot, but we have nowhere else to shelter.

“When it rains, we are either dismissed early or we share classrooms that were not affected by the storm,” said a Grade 6 pupil at the school.

A teacher, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to protocol, said the situation at Kwirire Primary School was not conducive for teachers and pupils.

Yesterday, Manicaland Provincial Education Director Mr Edward Shumba told The Herald that the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education was building toilets at affected schools.

“As a ministry, we are repairing toilets. We are moving to classrooms once funds are made available,” he said.
Mr Shumba referred further questions to the Chimanimani District Schools Inspector’s office.
Efforts to engage the office were fruitless yesterday.

However, a source in the ministry said they were struggling to mobilise resources.
“It is a process, but we are struggling on materials. Eventually you will see some changes,” said the source.
On how pupils were managing in the event of rains, the source said: “They are using the roofless classes at the moment, but when it rains, they share the existing infrastructure at the school.

“What has made the situation worse is that even tents that were donated to schools affected by Cyclone Idai were damaged by violent storms recently.

“Frantic efforts are being made to ensure pupils learn in a conducive environment.”
Chimanimani East legislator Cde Joshua Sacco appealed for assistance.

“At Kwirire Primary School, an appeal was made to the corporate world through the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.

“Bitumen World came forward as part of its social responsibility programme and the situation there is now under control,” he said.

“We have a challenge at Nyambeya Primary School and we are still appealing for help. We need to construct at least two classrooms blocks,” he said.

Major strides have been made in repairing key infrastructure damaged by Cyclone Idai in Chimanimani and Chipinge, especially the road network.

But refurbishment of schools is going on at a snail’s pace owing to resource constraints.
When disaster struck in Chimanimani, some companies offered to assist in rebuilding affected schools.
However, there is little to no progress in some instances.