Sukulwenkosi Dube- Matutu, Plumtree Correspondent
BULILIMA Rural District Council has appealed to stakeholders to assist in building science and computer laboratories at secondary schools within the district.

Addressing stakeholders during a meeting at the official opening of Mzwanyana Secondary School last week, Bulilima Rural District Council Chief Executive Officer Mr John Brown Ncube said the district has 20 secondary schools and only 10 of them have science laboratories. He said most of the schools were also in need of computer laboratories.

The school has three classroom blocks and one of them was built by the Zimbabwe National Army. Mr Ncube said the shortage of science and computer laboratories was hindering schools from implementing the new curriculum which emphasises the teaching of ICTs and STEM. “The new curriculum puts emphasis on teaching of sciences and ICTs but the challenge we have in the district is that most secondary schools don’t have science and computer laboratories. As a result some learners are learning Integrated Science but have never seen the inside of a lab while some are not learning computers,” he said last week.

“Only four schools in the district out of 20 secondary schools which are missionary schools are offering pure sciences which comprise Physics, Chemistry and Biology. We would like to appeal to partners to assist in funding the construction of labs in schools within the district.” Mr Ncube said the local authority wants to have 30 secondary schools in the district to reduce distances walked by learners.

He said some schools have infrastructure that could be turned into science laboratories, but were in need of furniture.

“It defeats the purpose if we continue to open more schools but learners don’t have the necessary infrastructure. The learners will remain disadvantaged and it will be difficult for schools to implement the new curriculum,” Mr Ncube said.

Zimbabwe National Army Chief of Staff General Staff, Major General Trust Mugoba, said artisans from 1 Infantry Brigade constructed a classroom block at the school.

“This project was part of our programmes that we undertake in order to support government ministries and government institutions to maintain essential services. The local authority approached us seeking assistance to construct a classroom block at the school in its endeavour to provide a conducive learning environment for pupils.

“The Zimbabwe National Army immediately mobilised army engineers who undertook the task of building the block. I’m sure that construction of this block will go a long way in improving the learning environment for pupils at this school,” he said.

@DubeMatutu

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