The School Improvement Grant provides safe learning spaces.
By Joneck Gwatiwa.
MASVINGO, Zimbabwe, 10 May 2018 - Access to safe learning spaces create a conducive environment that promotes positive learning outcomes. For 11 year old Elphas Dhambukai, the chance to attend school with proper infrastructure became a reality after UNICEF’s intervention in 2014 saw the construction of modern classroom block and sanitary facilities. Elphas’ first two years of school were marred by unsafe learning environment. He learnt in a shanty structure with a leaking roof that exposed the whole class and stationary to harsh weather conditions.
“During the rainy season the rain enters the classroom through the roof,” said Elphas. “Our books and uniforms often got wet.” “When I was in grade two my mom bought me a new set of exercise books after the heavy rains had destroyed all my books”.
Elphas stays with his parents and two siblings in Mutsungwe resettlement area near Mashava mine some 40km North West of Masvingo town. His parents are subsistence farmers who grow drought resistant crops, the only variety that thrive in the semi-arid land. During the cropping season, Elphas goes to the field to help his parents after school.
“After school I help my mom to harvest ground nuts in the fields,” said Elphas.
In Mutsukwe communal area, the nearest school with proper infrastructure is more than five kilometers away from Elphas’ home. Elphas is now in grade four at Mutsukwe Primary, a satellite school established
in 2013 to cater for the farming community. The school which is within a walking distance from Elphas’ home, does not meet the minimum functionality standards required by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MoPSE) and, has an enrollment of eight-seven learners.
The state of structures at the school presents a constant scare and danger to children like Elphas. “Sometimes the roof got blown away by the wind during lessons.” Said Elphas. “We were always learning in fear thinking the thatched roof might one day fall on us during lessons.” Elphas’ mother said she suspected the blowing of roofs incidents might have contributed to her son’s poor performance.
“I think that affected his performance especially when he was in grade two because he looked bright and performing well when he was in grade one,” Kundai Maganga, Elphas’ mother said. “There was a time when he came last in class”
UNICEF assist communities
Fenita Magenga Early Childhood Development teacher at Mutsukwe Primary School showing the Art and Design section in the new classroom block. Photo credit ©UNICEF Zimbabwe/2018/Gwatiwa.
UNICEF Zimbabwe in partnership with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is improving access to quality education to children in underserved communities. Through Education Development Fund (EDF), the School Improvement Grant (SIG), UNICEF is supporting financially constrained schools to achieve the minimum functionality standards. Musukwe Primary is among satellite schools that benefited from the intervention in 2014. The school constructed a classroom block that has given Elphas joy and some sense of security. “I am now happy because we no longer have to worry about our books and uniforms even when it rains heavily,” Elphas said. “We now have spacious rooms that allow our teachers to properly stick some charts.”
Through the School Improvement Grant, the school managed to construct toilets for the learners. These facilities create safe learning spaces that promote inclusive education. “The learning environment has now changed for the better,” Fenita Magenga, Early Childhood Development teacher at Mutsukwe said. “Even the pass rate has significantly improved” “At one time we were at zero per cent pass rate at grade seven but, last year we were at fifty-five.”
Elphas’ performance has also improved and he is hoping to become a professional driver one day. “I would like to work as a driver after school,” said Elphas. “Last term I was number four in our class.” Mutsukwe is now a safe place for Elphas and his classmates
