Itai Muzondo
BIKITA – Zimbabwe’s sole lithium producer, Bikita Minerals last week donated several science text books to Bikita Fashu High School in a bid to aid the school in meeting the ongoing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) revolution.
STEM is an initiative adopted by the government to encourage students to choose science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related subjects at ‘O’ and ‘A’ level.
Bikita Minerals Personnel Manager, Munyaradzi Mapeture said the gesture was meant to aid the school to meet the resources required to fit into the STEM framework.
“Our relationship with this school did not just start today. It dates way back to the time when the school was established. The land on which Fashu is built was mine property, but upon realising there was a need for a high school in the area, the land was donated to council and the school was built.
“Today, we have come back with another gesture to aid the study of Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Mathematics. The books were sourced by Bikita Minerals Chief Executive Officer, Grant Hudson to aid them achieve their STEM goals. We hope these books will take pupils a long way in realising their dreams to be at par with students in urban schools,” Mapeture said.
“In supporting the intensive study of sciences in schools as emphasised by the government, it is worth noting that science students form the largest part of our manpower in the mining industry. This is the reason why Bikita Minerals supports the STEM initiative,” he added.
Bikita Fashu High School headmaster, Hepias Madziro said achieving STEM goals as a school had almost became impossible due to lack of resources.
“Achieving the STEM goal was almost impossible because of financial constraints that we faced as a school but I am glad to announce that the company has promised to refurbish our science laboratory. They are doing us a great service indeed. They have become our shadow responsible authority,” Madziro said.
Added acting District Schools Inspector, Chioneso Maradza, “On behalf of the whole district, we thank Bikita Minerals for the donation. Good people will actually be remembered as a blessing and the wicked forgotten. To Bikita Minerals, I want to say you will always be remembered.”
Also present at the event was Bikita Minerals Chief Executive Officer Grant Hundson and Bikita Minerals Mine Manager, David Mwanza.news
