Electricity shortages an affront to quality education

Modern education requires the use of ICTs which are powered by electricity. The shortages of electricity blighting our country has made computers and other ICT gadgets useless and inoperable tools. Research for assignments and teaching material for teachers has been compromised grossly thus negatively impacting on the quality of the teaching and learning process.

Pupils are currently sitting for examinations including practical subjects like chemistry, metal work, and food science among others. The power shortages have become a headache for teachers to effectively teach these subjects, let alone run the exams. Pupils on the other hand can no longer read during night time as there is no lighting. Those who dare are now using candle light which result in long-term eye sight complications.

Households and schools are now using generators as a mitigation strategy. This comes with serious environmental consequences and it is at variance with the global drive of sustainable development. Noise from generators is unbearable for learners and fumes from the same can cause health problems.

As the well up schools and communities are enduring power shortages, rural schools are in a much dire situation as electricity is still to be connected. The "ZESA yauya zvine" power mantra never reached the bulk of our rural communities with the bulk of funds having reportedly been looted by the criminals and delinquents in government.

The permanent unavailability of electricity in rural schools has excluded rural learners from accessing computer education. The proposed new curriculum cites computer education has a key component of modern education so Zimbabwean education is going to be further dualised with rural learners missing out on modern education.

Rural girls continues to suffer the most as they also have to spend time looking for traditional sources of energy like firewood. The girls are also detached from the world and as such they cannot access information on their basic rights and become susceptible to various forms of abuse. The bulk of rural girls drop out of schools and enter into early marriages.

The irony of Zimbabwe power challenges is that we have plenty alternative sources of energy. Solar energy is one sources proven to be clean and cheap in the long term. Plan International installed solar water borehole at Sibangani Secondary in Silobela. The school and community are currently enjoying clean water from facility. Coal in Gokwe, Hwange and other parts of our country must be harnessed to supply energy and Lupane gas also remain unutilized.

The Minister of energy is evidently overwhelmed and stunned with the power problems. The move to switch off industry is ample evidence of failed leadership. Industry must produce so government can get money to invest in energy. Proceeds from mining sector must also be harnessed to invest in power generation.

Government's failure to address this challenge has destroyed public confidence and has left Zimbabweans yearning for the evil privatization of power generation. Privatization will precipitate other challenges that need a separate installment.

We demand urgent elucidation to power problems so that the poor can access quality education.

Obert  Masaraure
RTUZ President