News / National
Schools shortage hits Cowdray Park
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Cowdray Park, one of Bulawayo's largest and fastest-growing suburbs, is grappling with a severe shortage of schools, clinics, and other essential amenities, as rapid population growth continues to outpace infrastructure development.
According to the 2022 Population and Housing Census, Cowdray Park is home to 75,000 residents, spread across more than 27,000 stands, including residential, commercial, and industrial zones. However, as the number of houses continues to rise, residents are left facing major challenges in accessing basic services, particularly education.
Despite being the city's largest suburb, Cowdray Park only has three secondary schools: the Government-run Cowdray Park Secondary School and two privately owned institutions. This limited availability of schools forces many parents to send their children to distant schools in nearby areas like Luveve, Emakhandeni, or even the city centre - often miles away from their homes.
In response to this shortage, a makeshift secondary school called Onxy Academy has emerged in the Hlalani Kuhle/Garikai area. Constructed with walls made from metal sheets, the school currently enrols over 100 students and has become the only educational institution serving the western part of Cowdray Park, known as Es'godweni. Opened in January 2024, Onxy Academy aims to provide quality education to students, although it lacks key practical subjects such as Agriculture, Woodwork, Metalwork, Food and Nutrition, and Fashion and Fabrics.
Onxy Academy's principal, Mr. Elton Tofa, explained that the school's goal is to eventually expand into a fully-fledged institution with science blocks, workshops, and sports facilities. "We are the only school in this part of the suburb, and our vision is to provide quality education and adequately prepare students for public exams," he said. Currently, the school operates with a modest infrastructure and a staff of just seven educators who manage the diverse needs of the students.
For students like Sipho, a Form Four learner, Onxy Academy has become a crucial option. Sipho, who lives at the far end of Cowdray Park, expressed his gratitude for the school's proximity to his home. "It's not easy to get a place at Cowdray Park Secondary School because it's always full, and my parents cannot afford to send me to a school in the city centre. I'm grateful for Onxy Academy because it's close to my home, and many of my friends are here," Sipho shared.
Local resident Orlando Mlilo also expressed concern over the lack of sufficient educational options. "Cowdray Park is growing at an alarming rate, but the construction of schools is not keeping up. Two years ago, I tried to enrol my son at Luveve High, but they told me that the school only accepts children from the local area," he said.
According to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Zimbabwe has 10,517 schools, and ideally, the ratio of schools to population should be about one school for every 1,500 people. However, Cowdray Park's rapid population growth has left it with a severe shortage of secondary schools, and the current infrastructure is struggling to keep pace with the demands of the expanding community.
Ward 28 Councillor Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu highlighted the urgency of the situation, particularly during the rainy season when mud and poor road conditions make commuting to schools even more difficult. "The situation becomes even worse in the rainy season, when learners from the far end of the suburb must walk long distances to Cowdray Park Secondary. Not all parents can afford to send their children to private schools in the area, so it's critical for the government to expedite the construction of additional secondary schools," said Clr Ndlovu.
With a population of 75,000, Cowdray Park has become the second most populous urban ward in Zimbabwe, following Harare's Budiriro, which has over 89,000 residents. The suburb's population now exceeds that of towns like Gwanda (27,000 residents) and Hwange (40,000 residents). As the population continues to grow, the demand for essential services like education, healthcare, and shopping facilities becomes increasingly urgent.
The lack of adequate educational facilities and essential services in Cowdray Park is becoming an increasingly pressing issue. As the suburb expands, the need for infrastructure development - particularly in education and healthcare - must be prioritized to meet the needs of the growing population. Community leaders and residents continue to call for immediate action to address these gaps and ensure that Cowdray Park can support its residents with the services they require.
According to the 2022 Population and Housing Census, Cowdray Park is home to 75,000 residents, spread across more than 27,000 stands, including residential, commercial, and industrial zones. However, as the number of houses continues to rise, residents are left facing major challenges in accessing basic services, particularly education.
Despite being the city's largest suburb, Cowdray Park only has three secondary schools: the Government-run Cowdray Park Secondary School and two privately owned institutions. This limited availability of schools forces many parents to send their children to distant schools in nearby areas like Luveve, Emakhandeni, or even the city centre - often miles away from their homes.
In response to this shortage, a makeshift secondary school called Onxy Academy has emerged in the Hlalani Kuhle/Garikai area. Constructed with walls made from metal sheets, the school currently enrols over 100 students and has become the only educational institution serving the western part of Cowdray Park, known as Es'godweni. Opened in January 2024, Onxy Academy aims to provide quality education to students, although it lacks key practical subjects such as Agriculture, Woodwork, Metalwork, Food and Nutrition, and Fashion and Fabrics.
Onxy Academy's principal, Mr. Elton Tofa, explained that the school's goal is to eventually expand into a fully-fledged institution with science blocks, workshops, and sports facilities. "We are the only school in this part of the suburb, and our vision is to provide quality education and adequately prepare students for public exams," he said. Currently, the school operates with a modest infrastructure and a staff of just seven educators who manage the diverse needs of the students.
For students like Sipho, a Form Four learner, Onxy Academy has become a crucial option. Sipho, who lives at the far end of Cowdray Park, expressed his gratitude for the school's proximity to his home. "It's not easy to get a place at Cowdray Park Secondary School because it's always full, and my parents cannot afford to send me to a school in the city centre. I'm grateful for Onxy Academy because it's close to my home, and many of my friends are here," Sipho shared.
Local resident Orlando Mlilo also expressed concern over the lack of sufficient educational options. "Cowdray Park is growing at an alarming rate, but the construction of schools is not keeping up. Two years ago, I tried to enrol my son at Luveve High, but they told me that the school only accepts children from the local area," he said.
According to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Zimbabwe has 10,517 schools, and ideally, the ratio of schools to population should be about one school for every 1,500 people. However, Cowdray Park's rapid population growth has left it with a severe shortage of secondary schools, and the current infrastructure is struggling to keep pace with the demands of the expanding community.
Ward 28 Councillor Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu highlighted the urgency of the situation, particularly during the rainy season when mud and poor road conditions make commuting to schools even more difficult. "The situation becomes even worse in the rainy season, when learners from the far end of the suburb must walk long distances to Cowdray Park Secondary. Not all parents can afford to send their children to private schools in the area, so it's critical for the government to expedite the construction of additional secondary schools," said Clr Ndlovu.
With a population of 75,000, Cowdray Park has become the second most populous urban ward in Zimbabwe, following Harare's Budiriro, which has over 89,000 residents. The suburb's population now exceeds that of towns like Gwanda (27,000 residents) and Hwange (40,000 residents). As the population continues to grow, the demand for essential services like education, healthcare, and shopping facilities becomes increasingly urgent.
The lack of adequate educational facilities and essential services in Cowdray Park is becoming an increasingly pressing issue. As the suburb expands, the need for infrastructure development - particularly in education and healthcare - must be prioritized to meet the needs of the growing population. Community leaders and residents continue to call for immediate action to address these gaps and ensure that Cowdray Park can support its residents with the services they require.
Source - the chronicle
