Staff Reporter
The Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, on Tuesday toured the newly constructed Chana B Primary School in Mbizo 21, a facility built to ease overcrowding at the original Chana Primary School.
The project, funded with over $165,000 from Kwekwe City Council’s devolution funds, includes an administration block, two modern classroom blocks with a total of eight classrooms, and essential facilities.
The rapid expansion of the Mbizo high-density area had led to an unsustainable rise in student enrollment at Chana Primary School. To address the demand, Kwekwe City Council identified a new site in Ward 11 of Mbizo 21, resulting in the construction of Chana B Primary School.
Minister Ncube commended the initiative, emphasizing that it reflects the government’s commitment to people-centered development under President Mnangagwa’s leadership.
“The construction of Chana B Primary School bears testimony to the New Dispensation’s listening and people-centric leadership under His Excellency, the President, swiftly responding to community needs,” said Ncube.
He also praised the government’s Education 5.0 policy, which promotes innovation and industrialization, and highlighted other infrastructure projects in the Midlands Province, such as the electrification of 37 rural schools and the establishment of 16 Community Information Centres.
During the visit, Chana B Primary School head, Shumirai Manamike, detailed the challenges still facing the school despite the recent developments.
“In our school, we have 824 students from ECD A to Grade 7. When I arrived here in 2023, there was only one block. In 2024, construction began on another block with four classes, just like the first one. However, the existing blocks cannot accommodate all students, as our catchment area is large. I implore the council to build more blocks, as we are currently experiencing overcrowding and hot seating,” said Manamike.
Ncube also took the opportunity to address social issues, urging students to abstain from drug and substance abuse, noting that Kwekwe has become a drug hotspot.
