The ManicaPost
Freedom Mutanda
CHIBUWE High School has swelled in terms of student enrolment and on Monday, the Chibuwe community gathered at the new school site where close to 350 students will use as their school.
Amid wild celebrations, the people hailed the move as it enabled students to have a secondary school close to them and also, more importantly, a school that has low fees will allow many children to access education.
In his opening remarks, Mr Needmore Maposa, the Chibuwe High School head, said the idea of establishing the school came to him when he saw a huge number of day scholars who were travelling long distances to attend classes at Chibuwe High School.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we cannot allow our children to suffer the ignominy of walking long distances just like we did in years gone by. Together with the leadership gathered here, we decided to approach the relevant authorities and they duly gave us the permission to do so. Mutape Mutorwa and the youthful councillor, Cllr Charles Mugidho supported the idea and here is the road we have travelled thus far,’’ he told the rapturous crowd.
The guest of honour, Mr L.T. Makwambeni, a Schools Inspector for Chipinge West, was thrilled that the distance covered by students to go to school had been halved.
“Evidently, such developments in an area need appreciation. I am happy that the traditional leadership, the local authority and our ministry shared the same vision which is to see an improvement in infrastructure.
‘‘Going forward, this is the kind of partnership we envisage and the child is the ultimate winner,’’ he said.
Kubatana Secondary School is half way between Mwacheta and Chibuwe Secondary Schools. In essence, children from Ndunduma, Mwacheta and Maronga now have options when it comes to choosing a school closest to them.
The Teacher in Charge of the new baby is Mr Siman’aliso Siyapi, a senior teacher from the mother school. He has a BA History from the University Of Zimbabwe and a PGDE from ZOU.
Parents interviewed by The Manica Post expressed satisfaction with what transpired and hoped that the new school would churn out graduates in the same manner that the sister school, Chibuwe High School, has been doing over the years.
“It is a relief to get a school close to us and the fees are indeed affordable. However, I urge parents and other stakeholders to support the fledgling institution.
‘‘You can see there are water challenges here and there is need for parents to pay fees in time,’’ said one parents who elected not to be named.
Shingirai Kumbula, the child MP, hailed the development as it brings education to the community while the head boy, Ishmael Zerere was over the moon.
“This is sweet music to our ears,’’ he purred.
