SEVERAL schools in the drought-prone Gwanda district have reportedly abandoned agriculture practical lessons as it has become unbearable for students to periodically bring water to school.
BY PRIVILEGE SHOKO
Speaking during a policy dialogue meeting organised by Habakkuk Trust in Gwanda, a representative of the Nkashe community advocacy action team, Dickson Dube, said there was severe shortage of clean and safe drinking water at Nkashe primary and secondary schools.
“The shortage of water has resulted in our local schools failing to offer practical agriculture lessons and the teachers are forced to walk to fetch water for domestic use,” he said.
“The schools have a shortage of science and mathematics teachers as the water problem is a strain to the welfare of the teachers.”
Dube said boreholes which were supposed to assist the schools functioned seasonally.
“The boreholes around our schools function seasonally and are often dry from the month of May as water is always derived from the rains,” he said.
Dube said they had agreed to draw water from the nearest river so as to curb the water challenge.
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“We have agreed to draw water from Silikwane River which is 4km from Nkashe ward centre for both the primary and secondary school,” he said.
“This is expected to benefit 150 households from Nkashe village, 801 students and 29 teachers from both schools.”
Nkashe community appealed to the relevant stakeholders to help them conduct a feasibility study for the project.
Recently, villagers in Gwanda constructed Magedlela Dam with the help of stakeholders to solve the water problems.
The stakeholders said they intended to forward the budget to their superiors for possible consideration.
