VILLAGERS in Goba village in Bulilima, Matabeleland South are appealing for assistance to complete the construction of a local primary school, a project which they started almost two decades ago but abandoned it due to lack of funds.
Children from the village and surrounding areas spend weeks without going to school due to flooded Moza, Dzidziani and Silotsi rivers to reach the nearest learning institution.
Goba ward 5 head Thabani Tazibona told Southern Eye that the nearest school was about seven kilometres away with some rivers between. Resultantly, children cannot cross during the rainy season.
“We are appealing for assistance in the form of building material to complete the construction of a school which we started in 1995. The nearest school, Gampu Primary School is about seven kilometres away. Children have to cross three rivers before reaching the school. As we speak, they spent weeks in February without going to school because the rivers were flooded,” Tazibona said.
He said Moza Dam was spilling and only subsided this week, opening a rare opportunity for the children to go to school.
“We have finished constructing a block which is now used by Early Childhood Education classes. We are also appealing for a perimeter fence to protect our children from domestic animals, which are a menace at the school. At least if we can have three blocks that can accommodate children up to Grade 4 level, that would be better to save them from travelling long distances to school at their age,” he said.
Another villager, Rita Sibanda said they had also started constructing a teacher’s cottage. Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education spokesperson Taungana Ndoro said he needed more time to investigate the issue before responding.
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