By Staff Reporter

Over 1,300 students from Globe and Phoenix Primary School in Kwekwe, have faced ongoing challenges for more than 10 months since their school collapsed.

The pupils were initially relocated to Russell Primary School, where they have been learning in tents. However, recent heavy rains have exacerbated their plight as the grounds on which the tents are pitched are flooding.

In an attempt to manage the crisis, arrangements have been made for Grade Zero to Grade 4 students to share classes with their counterparts at Russell Primary, adopting a hot-seating arrangement. Meanwhile, students from Grade 5 to 7 are forced to use the tents, creating an unbearable learning environment.

Efforts to construct a new school have faced setbacks due to a shortage of resources despite fundraising efforts made in December last year.

Acting Kwekwe Civil Protection Unit Chairperson, Reason Machina, explained, “We launched a fundraising campaign, but the funds raised were only enough to hire a grader to clear the site. Progress has been halted due to a shortage of resources.”

Machina acknowledged the dire conditions at the temporary camp, saying, “The Russell grounds are located on lower terrain, making them susceptible to flooding. Recent heavy rains caused three UNICEF-provided tents to collapse, leaving six classes without shelter.”

However, Machina emphasized the urgency of the situation, revealing that affected children are currently left without shelter as the salvage efforts are underway.

“The children are in the open; that is how dire the situation is,” Machina said.

Despite the ongoing rescue attempts, the students of Globe and Phoenix Primary School continue to endure a challenging and uncertain educational environment.