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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Matabeleland South Bureau Chief 

CONSTRUCTION of buildings like the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic College home economics block is evidence of fruitful implementation of Education 5.0 which promotes industrialisation, modernisation and innovation, a Cabinet Minister has said.

The project stalled since 2003 and in 2018 Government came up with a new model which resulted in the resumption of construction of the home economics block.

Under the Second Republic, Government has moved in with speed to complete key infrastructural projects that had stalled for years.

Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo (JMN) Polytechnic College.

The completion of the home economics complex will help ease challenges of shortage of learning space at the institution. The complex will house a clothing factory and accommodate students pursuing practical courses such as tourism and hospitality, professional cookery, textile and clothing design. Once complete, the home economics block is set to become a major Food Science and Technology Centre and an incubation ground for more industries that will birth a vibrant food technology industry.

In an interview, during a visit to the polytechnic recently Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education Innovation Science and Technology Development, Professor Amon Murwirwa said progress at the JM Polytechnic home economics block was evidence that the country can develop using available resources and skills.

“This building had stalled since 2003 and the model we were using was of engaging contractors and our money was sinking and at some point we did not have enough money so in 2018, His Excellency the President ED Mnangagwa allowed us to use internal resources under the supervision of Public Works. We now use our college apprentices and polytechnics to take over buildings and construct them,” he said.

“We have discovered that we can do that at about 25 percent of the cost if we had subcontracted it to a company. Through Education 5.0 we are saying all students that are studying construction can do construction of actual buildings. Here we see education 5.0 in practice but at the same time this becomes a Food Science and Technology Centre. It becomes again an incubation ground for more industries. In the future, this centre will give birth to the food technology industry not only in Gwanda, but throughout the country and the Sadc region.”

Prof Murirwa said modern designs were now incorporating aluminium architecture. He said more funds will be invested into the project to ensure that it becomes the most developed structure in Gwanda Town. 

He urged tertiary institutions to engage students doing architectural design to come up with new buildings to show modernity.

The project which is now 98 percent complete is set to be commissioned soon.

JMN Poly principal Dr Ngoni Moyo recently said the home economics complex is an important project for the institution and its completion will change the face of the learning institution.

She said they will bring in modern equipment which students can use for their practicals.

Dr Moyo said with such a building, students at the institution can venture into production and innovation thereby contributing to the attainment of Vision 2030.

“This project had stalled since 2003 and we are excited that it’s nearing completion. It’s important for this block to be completed as it will leverage on shortage of learning space. We have always had dire shortage of learning space at this college. We don’t only house teacher trainees but the technical education students as well,” she said.

She said the pace at which the Public Works Department was working with students since 2018 was impressive. –@DubeMatutu