HWEDZA - Villagers in areas surrounding Dhirihori Primary and Secondary Schools are bitter about what they described as neglect by government, Zanu (PF) Member of Parliament, Tracy Mutinhiri, and Marondera Rural District Council led by Chief Executive Officer, Tendai Gundo. The schools, with a catchment area of more than 1 500 school children, is in a sorry state. Doors were vandalized, windows shattered and children are forced to sit on bricks because there are no chairs. An Advanced Level classroom block was abandoned mid-stream by stakeholders and other authorities responsible for the project.
We can not believe the school situated just 25km from the provincial capital, Marondera, is in such a bad shape. It resembles a cattle kraal. The government washed its hands of the project, saying it had no money. The responsible district rural council is casting a blind eye to the school while MP Tracy Mutinhiri is maintaining her distance from the institution. Parents led by the School Development Committee, struggle to keep school activities alive, said Augustine Gwarimbo, a frustrated parent.
Classes are bursting at the seams with an average 90 children in each. At both primary and secondary schools, there are no tables or chairs for teachers. Teachers residences are no better. Houses are dilapidated and collapsing.
Though we appreciate the so-called independence attained in 1980, we can not suppress the strong urge to look back to the pre-independence period with envy. During colonial times, the government had school inspectors and supervisors responsible for maintenance of acceptable school standards. At the time, no school standards could sink this low, said another bitter parent.
As classrooms have no doors or windows, stray livestock such as cattle, goats and pigs put up for the night in the rooms. Irresponsible revellers from a nearby shopping centre use classrooms as brothels over-night. The school is a health hazard.
If this is the best we can get out of the central government, local authority and our member of parliament, then we are in serious trouble as the future of our children could be doomed, said an elderly villager in the community.
The school has been without electricity for the past three years, as a power transmitter at the institution stopped working. Despite the huge challenge, villagers commended MDC ward 19 councillor, Samuel Machekanyanga, for at least making an effort to approach various organizations for aid. The School Development Officials could not be reached for comment.
Post published in: News