Source: New private school commissioned – herald
Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerayi Moyo (left) cuts a ribbon to officially open St Leonard Academy in Goromonzi District, Mashonaland East Province, while Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Ezra Chadzamira (right), businessman Dr Leornard Mukumba (second from right) and Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Advocate Itayi Ndudzo look on in Harare on Wednesday. – Picture: Esther Mushove.Takunda Gambiza-Herald Reporter
THE Government is planning to establish 150 primary and secondary schools nationwide to eliminate the country’s education facilities infrastructure deficit, Primary and Secondary Education Dr Torerai Moyo has said.
Speaking at the commissioning of the privately-owned St Leonard Academy in Harare on Wednesday, Dr Moyo said the new school represented a major investment in Zimbabwe’s future and demonstrated the importance of public-private partnerships in expanding access to quality education.
“The official commissioning of this state-of-the-art educational institution is far more than the opening of a new school. It is the fulfilment of a visionary dream, a significant investment in Zimbabwe’s future and a clear demonstration of our collective commitment to expanding access to quality, inclusive and transformative education,” he said.
The event was attended by Government officials, including Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Advocate Itayi Ndudzo, Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Ezra Chadzamira, Skills Audit and Development Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere, the Treasurer-General of ZANU PF Cde Patrick Chinamasa and other top officials.
Dr Moyo said the Government had reduced the national school deficit from about 3 000 schools in 2020 to 1 800 through sustained infrastructure development.
He said the target for 2026 was to construct at least 150 schools after building 120 last year.
“We are building so many schools because we still have a deficit of 1 800 schools. Government will not tolerate a situation whereby learners travel distances exceeding five kilometres to access education.”
Dr Moyo said the Government had secured a major private sector partner committed to constructing 1 000 schools across Zimbabwe, saying the initiative would eliminate the national school deficit before 2030.
He applauded businessman Dr Leonard Mukumba, founder of St Leonard Academy, for investing in education and constructing two schools under the academy’s name.
Dr Moyo said the project reflected the Second Republic’s emphasis on public-private partnerships, adding that Government alone could not meet all developmental needs.
“Government alone cannot meet every developmental need, but together with committed citizens, communities, churches, development partners and the private sector, we can accelerate the provision of quality education for every Zimbabwean child,” he said.
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