RUSAPE — An extremely poor educational environment has been exposed at Nyakwima Primary School in Makoni Central, where only three teachers — including the headmaster — are teaching 120 pupils in old and dilapidated buildings. REPORT BY CLAYTON MASEKESA The school buildings which were built in 1952 are almost collapsing as evidenced by the widening cracks on the walls and the old untreated gumtree poles.
In the last 10 years, the school has witnessed a massive exodus of teachers citing poor working conditions.
One teacher is made to teach combined grades in one class, meaning grades one and two have one teacher. Grades three, four and five are crammed in one class. Grades six and seven share the same class and one teacher.
The school headmaster, Stan Name, has expressed grave concerns over the issue.
“The situation here is severe. The infrastructure is dilapidated. It is very risky to conduct lessons in these classes,” said Name.
“We are now appealing for assistance from the corporate world and development partners. Failure to get a helping hand soon could be disastrous.”
Name said they were concerned about the safety of the children. “The roofs can easily be blown away in the event of a storm.
“When there are strong winds and rains, we group schoolchildren in a makeshift shed that we have constructed outside the classrooms.”
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
He added that the school infrastructure needed urgent attention. “We cannot do anything as the parents are rural peasants who are failing to raise school fees,” said Name.
He added that the school was looking forward to relocating to a new site where a standard school and toilet block could be constructed.
Name said besides the infrastructure crisis and teacher apathy, they managed to score a 95,7% pass rate in Grade Seven results last year, a feat usually achieved by urban schools.
