Mphoko donates to former school

VICE President Phelekezela Mphoko has donated computers sourced from the Zimbabwe National Road Authority to Mzilikazi Primary School, his former school.

The VP, who was accompanied by the Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs, Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo, warned pupils against leaving the country for South Africa saying they would only meet violence there.

"Today I want to say to you, desist from the ideas of thinking of going to South Africa. Nothing is amusing in South Africa, instead they burn people to death. I urge you to take your studies seriously because tomorrow's ministers should come from here, among you.

"I learnt here, the Minister of War Veterans' Tshinga Dube learnt here too and we look forward to getting more ministers from you," he said. VP Mphoko said last year he gave the school a task on essay writing and on the awards ceremony day, the headmaster Buker Dladla requested to be assisted with computers.

"I went out and sourced the computers which I was given by Zinara. The acting chief executive officer, Moses Juma, is here today to witness that I don't divert the gadgets," he said.

Mzilikazi Primary School Development Association chairperson Justice Zendegwa said the donation would go a long way in improving the quality of education at the school.

"The donation is in line with the government's policy on STEM and it puts the school in a position to be competent too. The donation has also come at the right time when the school was just implementing adult literacy programmes. We're appealing to you parents to come and learn computers as teachers are willing to teach you in the afternoon," he said.

Bulawayo Education Officer (EO) Chad Mhlaba said the computers were useful for data capturing and record keeping at the school. "In other words, any requested information from the school should be readily available. Information on pupils on BEAM, Special needs and others should be accessed by a click of a button without any stories," Mhlaba said.

"Teachers should undergo intensive computer training where they'll actually receive certificates of computer literacy as they now have a heavy burden ahead of them. We don't expect teachers to be taught by pupils but it's them who should be imparting knowledge to pupils, hence this should be done by knowledgeable people."