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Conrad Mupesa Mash West Bureau

TWO state-of-the-art and fully equipped laboratory blocks constructed by Zimplats at Wanganui Secondary School in Mhondoro-Ngezi district, were commissioned yesterday.

The facilities seek to bridge the rural-urban divide in line with President Mnangagwa’s vision of leaving no one and no place behind.

The laboratory blocks are part of Zimplats’ five-year plan of ensuring rural schools in Mhondoro-Ngezi and Chegutu districts are equipped with science facilities.

Prior to the construction of the two facilities, Forms 4 and 6 students at the school only accessed science subjects through theoretical lessons. Speaking during the commissioning of the facilities, Zimplats corporate affairs and public relations manager, Mrs Busi Chindove said the construction of the laboratories was “a significant stride towards addressing some of the needs we are facing within our districts”.

“We did some research years ago, where we found out that there were not enough schools within the district that had science laboratories. “This is the reason we have embarked on this five-year programme in which we will be building science laboratories within the districts of Mhondoro-Ngezi and Chegutu,” said Mrs Chindove. In 2012, Zimplats invested US$1,2 million in the expansion of the school through infrastructural development, which saw more classroom blocks, ablution and water facilities and teachers’ houses constructed.

Mrs Chindove applauded the community for rising to the occasion by raising resources for the construction of the Form 4s laboratory, which was then finished by Zimplats, including furnishing and equipping it.

The US$270 000 facilities have the capacity to accommodate 40 students each at one go and include gas reticulation, chemicals for use in the laboratory.

“We believe that this project will bring long-term growth and opportunities for the learners and it falls in line with our four pillars as a company that we invest in including education and skills development, local enterprise development (LED), community well-being and sport.” Local companies clinched the tender for the construction of the facilities in line with the company’s LED pillar support.

In his remarks, Provincial Education director, Mr Gabriel Mhuma, who officially commissioned the facilities, commended Zimplats for supporting the Government’s agenda of ensuring that learning environments must be conducive.

“The project by Zimplats, whose investment was US$270 000, is laudable and is a very big input from one of partners. As ministry, we have desired to ensure that there is enough shelter for our learners.

“We are desiring to have adequate specialist rooms for learning including; agriculture, traditional dance, theatre arts and many other learning areas,” he said.

Mr Mhuma said teaching of science subjects remained a challenge at schools that lack laboratories and correct equipment adding the project was a huge boost to the ministry and school’s annual pass-rates. Learners at the school, Jacob Mutsvangi and Mercy Ganje, praised Zimplats for its intervention.

“As I prepare for my final exams this year, I am sure that I will be able to excel because of the facility that has been commissioned,” said Mutsvagi. Area legislator, Cde Tavengwa Mukuhlani, said Zimplats’ five-year plan was testimony that the company was investing in the country’s future.