By Simon Masore
BUHERA – A severe hailstorm in Buhera West’s Ward 16 has caused extensive damage at Bika Primary School, blowing the roofs off of one classroom block and destroying textbooks, furniture, and other critical materials.
School Development Committee (SDC) Chairperson Nelson Munyaradzi Chamunorwa confirmed the incident that happened on November 27 and appealed for assistance to repair the damage before schools reopen.
“A lot of textbooks for different subjects were affected, four subjects had 70 books each, three other subjects had 90 each, then Shona had 10, English 10, and Mathematics 50. The class had 40 learners and each had 8 books, totaling 420,” said Chamunorwa.
He reported that one classroom was flooded, damaging approximately 620 textbooks and 320 exercise books, most of which are now unreadable. The storm also ruined furniture and building materials.
“The rains soaked and deformed five wooden tables as well as 10 wooden benches. Twenty eight iron roofing sheets were bent and seven ridges, all roofing nails and six window panes were destroyed,” said Chamunorwa.
Other items destroyed include teaching charts, chalks, rails, and eight teachers’ record books.
Chamunorwa said the roof of a second block was loosened and temporarily secured with wire, but a permanent solution was needed.
“Another block had its roof shaken, so just yesterday (December 4) we met as parents and tied the sheets with wire, but we feel it’s not sustainable. We are appealing for help to remove that roof and put a new one with iron trusses, which won’t be affected by termites,” he said.
Ward 16 Councillor Thomas Matsenhura echoed the call for urgent intervention and said appeals had been sent to the local council, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, and the school’s alumni.
“The school is in dire need of help. We have since written to several organizations including the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, council, as well as to old students,” said Matsenhura.
He acknowledged that the council may have exhausted its year-end budget but expressed hope for a positive response. Matsenhura also called on individuals and the corporate sector to assist in addressing the school’s critical needs.
