KAROI, Jun. 5 (NewsDay Live) – Government has thrown its weight behind the Roman Catholic Church’s new teacher training college in Karoi, describing the project as a major boost to Zimbabwe’s education sector and the country’s Vision 2030 agenda.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Karoi College of Education, Higher and Tertiary Education Minister Frederick Shava said the institution would play a key role in producing teachers capable of driving national development.
In a speech read on his behalf by ministry director Darlington Damba, Shava said the project represented more than the construction of buildings.
“This is not merely the start of a construction project; it is the laying of a foundation for faith-inspired learning, research and innovation, and the transformation of our nation,” Shava said.
He commended the Roman Catholic Church for complementing government efforts in expanding teacher education.
“The ministry applauds the Roman Catholic Church for establishing a teachers’ college in Mashonaland West Province, bringing the total number of teacher training colleges in Zimbabwe to 20,” he said.
College officials said the institution would train teachers equipped with 21st-century skills and help advance Zimbabwe’s ambition of attaining upper-middle-income status by 2030.
The Roman Catholic Apostolic Administrator for the Chinhoyi Diocese, Raymond Mupandasekwa, said the project would end years of hardship for students from the region who had been forced to travel to colleges in Bondolf, Seke and Madziva for training.
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“As the Catholic Church, we have always regarded education as one of the most effective instruments for human development. At the centre of this noble mission stands the teacher — the one who inspires minds, nurtures talents and forms character,” Mupandasekwa said.
He stressed that the institution must produce teachers who are both academically competent and morally upright.
Mupandasekwa said fencing of the site would begin immediately, with major groundwork expected to start next week. While the first intake is scheduled for August and will initially operate from Chinhoyi, the college is expected to relocate to the Karoi campus by January next year once construction is complete.
“As a church, we mean business in our commitment to this project,” he said, drawing applause from church members and local residents gathered for the ceremony. Performances by the Kutama College choir and marimba band added colour to the event.
Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Marian Chombo said the college would benefit communities in Hurungwe, Kariba and surrounding districts.
“We hope the college, through both its infrastructure and human capital development, will help empower young people to tackle the growing challenge of drug and substance abuse. This training institution is also an important driver of economic growth for the district and the province,” Chombo said.
Karoi Town Council chairperson Kudakwashe Chigumo described the groundbreaking ceremony as a historic milestone for the town.
“This is a dream come true for our community. We are grateful that the Roman Catholic Church has partnered with us in making this vision a reality. The college will help nurture our children into future leaders,” Chigumo said.
The land for the college was allocated in 2019, and local leaders say the project is set to become one of the most significant educational developments in Karoi’s recent history.
