Villagers in Matabeleland North province are calling for the establishment of more schools in the province to ease the plight of children who are walking long distances in search of education. School children in resettlement and communal areas of Nyamandlovu, Binga, Nkayi and Tsholotsho are having to walk over 20km to get to nearby secondary schools with ECD children walking for over 10km.
The effect has been the province continues to record poor pass rates and increased school drop outs as well as a surge in child marriages.
Matabeleland North Provincial Education Director Mr Jabulani Mpofu said they are aware of the problems that the villagers are facing and they are working towards introducing some satellite schools.
“There is a need to mobilise resources to develop the existing satellite schools and build more standard laboratories and establish computer laboratories for e-learning purposes. We are trying by all means to alleviate the shortage of schools in the province,” said Mr Mpofu.
Mr Mpofu further highlighted that in the past year, a total of 12 new schools were commissioned in Matabeleland North with 400 schools expected to be digitalised this year.
In 2017, the province recorded a 30.4 percent Grade Seven pass rate.
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