by Chido Matamba
Government continues to construct more infrastructure at learning institutions using devolution funds.
According to an Annual Budget and Economic Review Fiscal Year 2019-July 2020 document, Government has fully re-constructed some of the schools that were destroyed during Cyclone Idai, early last year, with plans to construct more schools.
“Cyclone Idai, which occurred in March 2019, affected a total of 139 schools in Manicaland and Masvingo provinces, necessitating the need to redirect fiscal resources towards the reconstruction and rehabilitation of classrooms, teachers` houses as well as water and sanitation facilities, among other issues.
“Forty-one schools have been fully reconstructed, providing all basic amenities that guarantee a safe teaching and learning environment, including rehabilitation of water and sanitation facilities,” reads the document.
The document further states that, “Construction works on four primary and seven secondary schools are at various stages of completion. This is in addition to works being undertaken by local authorities, utilising devolution funds.”
Government has also completed the construction of twelve primary and five secondary schools under OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), with focus on procurement of furniture and computers.
The document states that ZWL$93.4 million which was allocated to the education sector was used towards construction of infrastructure at universities, polytechnics and colleges.
“They include, construction of the BED Technical Block at the University of Zimbabwe, a three storey Medical School building at the Great Zimbabwe University, teaching and learning facilities at Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences and Gwanda State University as well as construction of a 126 bedded three storey hostel block at Kushinga Phikela Polytechnic,” reads the document.
Economic analysts commended this move by the administration of President Emmerson Mnangagwa noting that it is fulfilling its mandate of promoting devolution, which is under Section 264 of the Constitution, which stipulates providing revenue for infrastructure development.
The availing of devolution funds to local authorities is going to improve community development, hence improve people’s lives.
