TICHAONA KATSVAMUTIMA IN CHINHOYI
Several schools and colleges in Mashonaland West Province face closure for operating without licences, Business Times can report.
The crackdown was revealed by acting Makonde district schools inspector, Ezra Kafumu this week.
“There is a blitz in Harare where illegal schools are being closed, including independent colleges that are not registered. It’s coming to Mashonaland West, it’s coming to Makonde,” Kafumu said.
He added: “All directors and principals of colleges here present, cooperate with ministry officials so that your schools remain registered and up to standard like this one.”
Kafumu raised concern over the shortage of secondary schools in Makonde district, particularly in Chinhoyi urban.
There are 12 primary schools in Chinhoyi urban alone that feed into only four secondary schools.
Kafumu hailed Matanah Christian Group of Colleges for establishing the secondary school and called on authorities to ensure quality education is affordable and accessible.
“On behalf of the government, l want to congratulate you on registering this beautiful school. We expect you to attract students by producing good results.”
Speaking at the same occasion, Matanah Christian Group of Colleges director, Simbarashe Matumbike said shortage of secondary schools in the soon-to-be city motivated the setting up of the institution.
“Our motive behind the establishment of Matanah Christian Group of Colleges was due to shortages of secondary schools in Chinhoyi, and our main objective was to produce high quality education to learners since they are future leaders which will benefit Zimbabwe as a nation,” said Matumbike.
The college opened in 2020 at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and now boasts a pupil enrollment of over 300.
Plans are also in the pipeline for the establishment of the province’s first-ever polytechnical college as part of the education investment group’s expansion drive.
