PUPILS from Regina Mundi primary and secondary schools in Lupane district have reportedly been unable to attend school for the past two weeks due to the heavy rains that have left Gwayi River flooded.
DIVINE DUBE OWN CORRESPONDENT
Villagers from the affected areas of Tamuhla in Tsholotsho North told Southern Eye yesterday that their homes were between the Gwayi River and Mzombani stream making it difficult for their children to travel to school, which is on the other side of the river.
“Our children have not been going to school for the past two weeks as a result of the rains. Gwayi River is flooded and we are afraid our homes might be swept away,” a villager who only identified himself as Moyo said.
“We cannot allow our children to go to school because we are afraid they will drown.
“They will only go to school if the rains stop.”
Regina Mundi Primary School headmaster Nkululeko Msimanga yesterday confirmed that several pupils residing in areas around the Gwayi River had not been attending school due to the flooded river.
“Several pupils from Tamuhla village around Gwayi River have not been coming to school as a result of floods,” he said.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“They are stuck as they are surrounded by Gwayi River and other dangerous streams such as Mzombani. I tried to go to our district offices last week, but my car was stuck in Mbembesi River so it is now difficult even to get intervention from our district offices,” he said.
Msimanga also said their annex school, Simunyu in the same area, was not spared from the disaster as teachers from Regina Mundi could no longer travel to the school because of the floods. Msimanga said Lupane district authorities had been informed about the disaster and had indicated that they would conduct a disaster management workshop on February 19.
However, Matabeleland North deputy education director Mathius Luphahla said they had not received any reports about the disaster and advised the affected schools to come up with an intervention.
“I know that there are floods in Gwayi, but we have not yet received an official report,” she said.
“The provincial education director (Boitathelo Mguni) has gone there today (yesterday) and perhaps she will get reports from the affected schools.”
