THE Zimbabwe Defence Force has handed over Tshino Secondary School in Tsholotsho to the rural district council following its recent completion.
Tsholotsho Rural District Council chief cxecutive Nkululeko Sibanda confirmed the development, saying the new school will benefit the community as there was a shortage of schools in the Tshino/eSawudweni area.
The shortage of schools, he said, was forcing learners to walk long distances to school in the district.
“Of course, we shall benefit from this new school as the nearest secondary school in the area is about 18km away,” he said.
“These schools also happen to be in places that are affected by floods in the rainy seasons, which proved to be problematic.”
Sibanda said the construction of the school showed the close relationship the local council shared with the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.
The construction of the secondary school came after the community cried out for more schools and accessible health centres in the area.
The closest school in the resettlement areas of Tshino and eSawudweni is Tshino Primary School, which is about 10km away.
- Army colonel smuggles 31 AK-47 rifles
- ZDF in routine exercise in Mash Central
- Security officers’ involvement in armed robberies worrisome
- Commotion as Belarus President lands at RGM Airport
Keep Reading
According to a recent displacement report by the International Organisation on Migration, the establishment of new settlements in eSawudweni and Tshino in ward 6 and Canaan in ward 15 did not translate to an increase in education facilities, but merely an increase in learner enrolment.
During the 2016/17 floods, enrolment at Tshino Primary School increased from 500 to 900 pupils.
The establishment of new resettlement areas has seen a rise in school enrolments, which are beyond its capacity.
Similarly, in terms of healthcare, the nearest facility in the area lacks resources, meaning villagers have to travel to the better equipped Sipepa Clinic, which is 40km away.
Meanwhile, Sibanda has said the authorities are also working on the construction of the Nkunzi Registry Office in Tsholotsho South.
“It is not being built by the defence forces, but council can confirm that construction works are ongoing, but it will be a while until completion,” he said.
