by Gideon Madzikatidze/Simbarashe Sithole
MAZOWE WEST – In a heartwarming display of community spirit, Zanu-Pf Councilor, Dickson Mucheriwa has sourced diverse donations from a local Sangoma, Sekuru Nyangatayani (born Peter Chingudzi) to provide much-needed support to less privileged and differently-abled learners at Farai Primary School in rural Mashonaland Central where he donated fees, stationary and other educational necessities which benefited nearly one hundred recipients.
The initiative aims to address the crippling effects of abject poverty, which has left many struggling guardians unable to pay school fees and provide basic necessities for their children. As a result, the school has been grappling with bad debts, threatening the education of these vulnerable learners.
Councilor Dickson’s timely intervention has brought hope to the affected families including orphans and other economically vulnerable learners, with the Sangoma contributing generously to the cause. The donation will go towards paying school fees, providing stationery, and covering other essential needs for the learners.
“This is a noble cause, and I’m honoured to be part of it. Sourcing for these donations was premised on our realisation that the school has been grappling with bad debts, a development which threatens the education of these vulnerable learners,” Councillor Dickson said.
“Every child deserves access to quality education, regardless of their background or financial situation. We’re committed to making a difference in our community and have therefore welcome everyone who pledge to donate or partner through public-private-partnership in our quest to ensure there is access education to everyone and every place,” Dickson added.
“This is how we complement Vision 2030 and national development strategy in the wake of amplifying President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Second Republic’s mantra for leaving no one and no place behind. The gesture by Sekuru Nyangatayani has come at a right time when some guardians are failing to pay fees for learners which forces school to operate below extreme standards as it failed to recover from bad debts over time,” Councillor Dickson further claims.
Farai Primary school administration, parents and development committee members have welcomed the gesture, citing the dire need for such support.
“This initiative has come at a time when we were struggling to keep our children in school. We’re thankful to Councilor Dickson and the Sangoma for their kindness and generosity,” said one grateful parent.
“Our school has been experiencing a challenge in terms of receiving fees from struggling guardians and we welcome this gesture which will contribute towards severe dropouts amongst our learners. Guardians have therefore been relieved from serial requests or reminders for fees payment, and we had since resorted to engage Chief Makope to help in recovering from bad debts,” Mr Shonhiwa Nyanhanga, the Headmaster for Farai Primary school said.
“School fees donations and other necessities assistance will therefore complement in our efforts to recover from bad debts. We really appreciate today’s gesture by Sekuru Nyangatayani, as it is a relief to both teachers and learners especially since we received educational requisites to make sure learning becomes easier. We received boxes of chalks, stationary and fees which will leave no learner behind or empowering everyone to embrace Heritage-Based Curriculum,” Nyanhanga added.
Farai School Development Committee chairperson, Mr Fredrick Mulesi claimed that there is a need for comprehensive ways to recover from bad debts while recalling how authorities are working with traditional leadership to collect money from guardians deliberately fail to pay fees.
“Just after realising that some gurdians are not putting more effort in raising fees, we engaged out local traditional leadership including Chief Makope and the responses have been positive since we recover to a considerable extent. With these gesture by Sekuru Nyangatayani, it would go a long way since he promised to cover school fees for some learners for the whole year. These public-private-partnerships would help in empowering less priviledged learners in accessing education which is their right,” Nyanhanga said.
The partnership highlights the importance of community-driven initiatives in bridging the gap in education and promoting inclusivity in Mazowe West. The area falls under Minister of Home Affairs, Kazembe Kazembe’s constituency.