By Chipo Gudhe

Globe Primary School, which recently relocated to Russell Sally Mugabe Primary School following a classroom cave-in caused by illegal mining, is now grappling with a double tragedy.
Heavy storms on Tuesday brought down the school’s tents, leaving more than 1 300 students without proper shelter.

The violent storm incident occurred as the students at Globe Primary were attempting to rebuild and get back on track after the traumatic collapse of their classroom. Having been relocated to Russell, they relied on temporary tents to continue their education until a permanent solution could be found. Unfortunately, the severe storm that struck on Tuesday tore through the area, causing extensive damage to the tents and leaving the students exposed to the elements.
Lessons had to be put on hold only to resume today after they brokered a hot sitting arrangement with Russell to use its classrooms.

To compound the situation, Russell Primary, the host school, is struggling with mounting water bills as Globe and Phoenix Primary has failed to pay its share.
On top of the storm tragedy, Russell Primary School is facing another burden – escalating water bills. Globe Primary, struggling financially due to the aftermath of the mining incident, has failed to meet its obligations in contributing to the shared water expenses. This has put a strain on the host school’s finances, as they are now left to shoulder the entire cost of accommodating Globe Primary’s water needs.
Addressing an emergency provincial civil protection unit at Kwekwe City Council today Permanent Secretary for Devolution Midlands Edgars Seenza said yesterday when they carried out an assessment at Russell he was told about the ballooning water bills.

“On the cost of water, the school (Russell) used to pay about ZWL$2million per month but last time the bill went up to ZWL$13million as the parents of learners are reluctant to pay levies as they argue that they are not certain if the school will continue. We are encouraging the parents through the SDC to pay so that the school authorities can shoulder the water bills burden,” he said.

Meanwhile, efforts have been made to identify a long-term solution for the students’ education, ensuring their safety and maintaining the continuity of their learning through the construction of another school but bureaucracy is stalling progress.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Affairs Owen Ncube quizzed the provincial civil protection heads about why work at the school allocated ground is taking time to start.
“Why do we keep talking about one issue? What is stopping you from relocating the school to the ground it was given because every day we are solving problems whilst there is land provided for rebuilding the school,” he quizzed.
In response, the Director in the Local Government Ministry Charlton Murove, said the Ministry of Mines and Minerals is yet to issue a letter of an abandonment/ certificate for the area earmarked for construction.
“All necessary processes were done, the Department of Spatial Planning did the necessary paperwork, and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education as we agreed the school will be registered under the ministry. Kwekwe City promised to connect water to the site but our main challenge was with the Ministry of Mines. There are some notices they have to provide a letter of abandonment or certificate for the area,” he said.
Ncube said bureaucracy should not stop development.
“The certificate will follow whilst work is in progress because it is now over a year. Let’s proceed the delays are not necessary. I can not be arrested for doing good we can not have bureaucracy stopping development,” he said.