Staff Reporter
The Second Republic’s rural electrification initiative is making significant strides, with Sibangani Secondary School in Silobela, Midlands Province, being its latest beneficiary.
The rural school recently received electricity through the government’s rural electrification program, part of a larger mission to reduce the rural-urban development gap. The program aligns with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), focusing on inclusive growth and modernisation in rural communities.
In remarks at the electrification ceremony, Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, highlighted the educational benefits, noting that electricity opens doors to digital resources, thereby enhancing learning quality.
“The era of carrying satchels overloaded with textbooks is over. Information is now at our students’ fingertips. The Second Republic fully supports UN Sustainable Development Goal 4, which champions inclusive, quality education and lifelong learning for everyone, irrespective of their location. However, I urge our students to be cautious of social media’s negative influences, which can disrupt our values and sense of community,” Minister Ncube stated.
Sibangani Secondary School Headmaster, Ndalifa Ndebele expressed excitement about how electricity will transform the school’s learning environment and support additional programs.
“The challenges we faced without electricity were significant. With the current focus on heritage-based learning, ICT integration is essential and requires reliable power. Electrification will also aid in managing our feeding programs more efficiently, and I am confident that our pass rates will see a positive shift. In the past, we have had difficulty retaining experienced teachers, but with facilities like these, we expect to attract and keep the best educators,” said Ndebele.
The electrification of Sibangani Secondary has also sparked enthusiasm among local families who see this development as a path to modern education for their children.
A local parent expressed relief, saying, “It was difficult for our children to rely on candles for evening study. Now, with electricity, they can use ICT devices to research and keep up with their peers in urban schools. This change levels the playing field for them.
A student echoed these sentiments, adding, “We are grateful to the government for remembering us. We can now focus on our studies with fewer limitations, knowing there’s a real chance for success.”
The Rural Electrification Fund (REF) has made substantial progress across the Midlands Province since the inception of the Second Republic, electrifying 957 rural institutions, including 140 in Kwekwe District alone. By empowering rural schools and communities, this initiative aims to promote sustainable development and improve the quality of life for Zimbabweans in remote areas, making strides toward Vision 2030.
The transformation of Sibangani Secondary School through electrification is a clear example of how government initiatives are working to bring equitable opportunities to all Zimbabweans. As electricity lights up more rural schools, it lights a path toward a brighter, more inclusive future for Zimbabwe’s youth.
