By Brighton Chiseva
The Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ) has embarked on an ambitious project to upgrade the infrastructure of its schools, which were constructed decades ago.
Renowned for their rich history of academic excellence, this infrastructural development project aims to equip schools with state-of-the-art facilities and amenities, a development that will see the schools embracing modernity while retaining their traditional values.
RCZ Education Secretary Dr. Witmos Mutumburanzou told TellZim News that some old infrastructure was no longer meeting current standards, and the responsible authority encouraged its schools to modernize. He said they were happy with the progress.
“We decided to modernize the infrastructure at our schools since they were established long ago; they could no longer meet current trends. So we are witnessing massive developments at our schools, and the competition is healthy,” said Dr. Mutumburanzou.
He said they were constructing quality structures by ensuring that the schools get the best contractors, as the tendering system is also monitored by the church.
“As the responsible authority, we have made sure that the church’s tender committee is also involved in the school tendering processes so the best contractor is chosen, as there is no way schools can just choose what they want,” said Dr. Mutumburanzou.
He said the major areas for modernization included the construction of new hostels, classrooms, staff accommodation, and modern furniture.
Dr. Mutumburanzou said they had discovered that parents preferred mission schools, especially those located in rural areas, and said some of their schools in Masvingo Province had 90% of their learners coming from areas as far as Harare.
“We have come to realize that parents prefer our schools because they are church schools where morals are taught every day, and their location away from town is ideal for learners as they do not have much interference. They have no access to other things that usually tempt them,” he said.
At Chibi High, one of the fastest developing schools not only among RCZ schools but in the entire province, a new classroom block for A-levels was recently completed and fully equipped with modern furniture.
The whole school was solarized, easing load shedding challenges as the school no longer relies on ZESA for power. The solar power is able to power the school cold room, which stores food supplies, and allows for the extension of study time for exam classes.
The school recently constructed two staff houses with modern facilities and also managed to boost the school’s water reservoirs by erecting 22 Jojo tanks around the school and a galvanized water tank with a 350,000-liter capacity, saying goodbye to water shortages.
It was also said that the school recently upgraded its science laboratories and was constructing a boys’ hostel, which was at deck level.
Bikita District’s Pamushana High, known for its academic and sporting prowess nationally, is trying by all means to increase the number of classrooms to meet demand due to the ever-increasing enrollment influenced by good results.
Pamushana has since completed two classroom blocks, a new spacious center with modern equipment, and sunk more boreholes to ensure that there is running water all the time.
The school also got a 22,000-liter tank for water storage and used the School Development Committee (SDC) account to modernize the ablution facilities.
Located in Zaka District, Jichidza High School is currently constructing a boys’ hostel with the capacity to accommodate 100 learners and will be furnished with modern facilities.
Buhera-based Nyashanu High is one of the best in terms of agricultural projects and boasts a three-hectare plot where they grow different crops, with the produce being used to feed learners. The school is in the process of refurbishing the labs and old classrooms and putting up new roofs.
The girls’ hostel was razed down by fire last year, but they managed to construct a new and modern one.
At Makumbe in Buhera as well, they are busy with the construction of Form Four and Six study centers, and the project was started in November 2024. The school recently purchased a GD6 motor vehicle. It was also affected by natural disasters that blew away roofs, among other damages, but have since managed to repair the damages.
Gutu High recently constructed new ablution facilities in the boys’ boarding area, as well as classrooms. The school is also upgrading classrooms to story buildings. The school has limited space, and that necessitated the construction of story buildings.
Alheit Chingombe II High, located in Gutu, recently constructed staff houses, and preparations for the construction of two more are already underway. It completed a large science laboratory and commissioned the first smart classroom in all Dutch schools. It recently refurbished toilets and bathrooms, putting in tiles and new water connections and installing hot water facilities. The school also purchased a 77-seater bus, which is set to be delivered next month (February). The school solarized all classrooms and hostels.
Masvingo District’s Zimuto High is constructing a boys’ hostel with a holding capacity of 80, which is almost complete. The tender process for solarization of the school was completed recently, and work will start soon and is expected to be completed by the end of February.
