News / National
Govt rehabilitates satellite schools
22 Mar 2016 at 05:34hrs | Views
Deputy minister of Primary and Secondary Education Paul Mavima has said the government has disbursed some funds for the construction of the satellite schools in the country.
Speaking in Parliament Mavima said the Ministry is doing everything possible to ensure that proper infrastructure is put up at all satellite schools in the resettlement areas throughout the country.
He said through the Ministry's initiative, almost all schools in resettlement areas are getting school improvement grants every year, whose main purpose is to provide teaching and learning materials.
"The first five schools on the list were all given US$6 500 each in 2015 for them to use towards school infrastructure development. However, it has been established that Rhovic Primary School is the same as Lukuluba Primary School, which also benefited from the School Improvement Grant; it is only that the names are used interchangeably. Woodlands Primary School, which is mistakenly stated as Woodend Primary School was given US$3000 since it is an already established school," he said. "Since all the listed schools are likely to qualify again for the same funding, they will continue to benefit and it is up to the communities to consider their priorities, whether it is cement or roofing material that they need first. They are most likely to get more funding in 2016."
He said satellite schools are also being prioritised under the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) since they have the greatest need in terms of infrastructure development.
"The Ministry is cognisant of the mammoth task it is seized with in terms of school infrastructure development. That is why we have embarked on joint venture partnerships, infrastructure bonds and the payment of a building levy, so that we are able to put up proper infrastructure at every school in Zimbabwe. In short, indeed the Ministry has plans to assist the named schools and many others to construct standard infrastructure," he said.
He said S$20 million new loan have been directed towards the construction of satellite schools.
"We are targeting 17 of them and this is going to be a complete construction of each of those schools together with the teachers' houses. If Science laboratories or workshops are needed, it is going to be used there," he said.
Speaking in Parliament Mavima said the Ministry is doing everything possible to ensure that proper infrastructure is put up at all satellite schools in the resettlement areas throughout the country.
He said through the Ministry's initiative, almost all schools in resettlement areas are getting school improvement grants every year, whose main purpose is to provide teaching and learning materials.
"The first five schools on the list were all given US$6 500 each in 2015 for them to use towards school infrastructure development. However, it has been established that Rhovic Primary School is the same as Lukuluba Primary School, which also benefited from the School Improvement Grant; it is only that the names are used interchangeably. Woodlands Primary School, which is mistakenly stated as Woodend Primary School was given US$3000 since it is an already established school," he said. "Since all the listed schools are likely to qualify again for the same funding, they will continue to benefit and it is up to the communities to consider their priorities, whether it is cement or roofing material that they need first. They are most likely to get more funding in 2016."
"The Ministry is cognisant of the mammoth task it is seized with in terms of school infrastructure development. That is why we have embarked on joint venture partnerships, infrastructure bonds and the payment of a building levy, so that we are able to put up proper infrastructure at every school in Zimbabwe. In short, indeed the Ministry has plans to assist the named schools and many others to construct standard infrastructure," he said.
He said S$20 million new loan have been directed towards the construction of satellite schools.
"We are targeting 17 of them and this is going to be a complete construction of each of those schools together with the teachers' houses. If Science laboratories or workshops are needed, it is going to be used there," he said.
Source - Byo24News
