ZIMBABWE desperately needs at least 2 800 new schools to decongest some of the learning institutions, government has revealed.
Primary and Secondary Education minister Torerai Moyo revealed this in Parliament during a pre-budget seminar while responding to a report tabled by the education committee, which indicated that there is a shortage of 2 800 schools.
He said there was a need to promote public-private partnerships in the construction of new schools to address the country’s critical shortage, especially in resettlement areas and high-density suburbs.
“Through collaborative partnerships, new schools could be established and existing ones supported with requisite resources,” Moyo said.
“Practically, at least one full-fledged school per province can be constructed every year, or more schools depending on the engagement with private players in the economy.”
He said the ministry would also be lobbying local authorities to utilise devolution funds to construct schools to reduce the shortage of schools.
“Investment in infrastructural development in areas where there is a high demand for schools, for example, resettlement and high-density urban areas, including the construction of new schools and expanding the existing ones to accommodate more pupils,” he said.
Moyo also urged the formalisation of illegal schools to help increase the number of learning institutions, thereby reducing the backlog.
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He pledged to accelerate the registration of satellite schools to increase access to education by a wider spectrum of pupils.
Government once announced plans to construct 3 000 new schools by 2025.
