SEVERAL Mzilikazi Primary School pupils in Bulawayo are enduring harsh weather as they are forced to learn in the open or under trees due to a serious classroom shortage at the school.
Pupils who spoke to Southern Eye raised the issue on Thursday last week.
“At least we are now heading to summer. It was painful learning in the cold, using our knees as desks. Learning outside in summer is much better compared to winter,” one of the pupils said.
The situation has been like that for years amid concerns that school children are being exposed to diseases as a result of exposure to inclement weather.
Mzilikazi Primary School development committee chairperson Robert Ndlovu said the school was designed for 750 pupils decades ago.
“Today we have more than 2 000 pupils. The school is considered a major school by the ministry but no corresponding funding for capital projects come through.
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“Basic Education Assistance Module (Beam) funds in real time gross settlement (Zimdollars) take forever to get into school hands. In the last 40 years, no new school was built in that area, meaning Mzilikazi Primary is the only nearest school which pupils can go to,” Ndlovu said.
He said they were completing the construction of a perimeter wall before they build a double-storey building if space permits.
“Our apex plans for this coming term to mid-year next term is to reach out to former students for blocks via alumni,” Ndlovu said.