KWEKWE – It never rains but pours for Globe and Phoenix Primary School in Kwekwe.
The school was forced to temporarily suspend lessons after 11 out of 21 tents pitched at Sally
Mugabe Primary School grounds were blown away by strong winds which hit the city last Tuesday.
Fortunately, there were no injuries reported during the incident.
The 98-year-old school, which has 1 300 pupils, was closed in March this year by the government
following a mishap that resulted in the injury of 18 pupils. The classroom block collapsed due to
underground tunnels dug by illegal miners. It was relocated to Sally Mugabe Primary School, a few
metres away.
Tuesday's strong winds wreaked havoc on Globe and Phoenix Primary School tents, resulting in the
government's decision to temporarily suspend lessons at the institution. Lessons were being
conducted in tents provided by the Civil Protection Unit.
However, the recent mishap has prompted the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education officials
to temporarily suspend lessons until the situation is rectified. Consequently, no lessons could take
place as workers were busy repairing the damaged structures.
The School's Development Committee official Hilda Muchengeti said officials from the Education
Ministry of Education ordered the school closure.
“We are in a tight situation. The tents which we were given as a temporary measure were blown
away by the strong winds on Tuesday. Ministry asked the pupils to go back home until the situation
normalises. As of today, there are 10 pupils, and there is no place where they can conduct their
lessons. We are waiting for the tents to be repaired.
“There is fine dust on the ground, we fear that the pupils might develop TB and asthma,” she said.
Muchengeti confirmed that a site for the new school was identified but work will only start after the
Geo Tech report is out.
Concerned about the welfare of the learners, President Emmerson Mnangagwa instructed the
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Larry Mavima, to swiftly identify an
alternative site for the construction of a new school within three weeks.
Kuvimba Mining Company, local hotelier and BEEF president Dr. Solomon Matsa and aspiring
Member of Parliament for Kwekwe Central Energy Ncube pledged to help construct classroom
blocks at the new site.
The closure of Globe and Phoenix Primary School raised alarm among government officials and
stakeholders. A meeting was scheduled to take place to address the issue and find a suitable
resolution.
“It is crucial to ensure the safety and uninterrupted education of the affected pupils. The Ministry of
Education, in collaboration with other pertinent authorities, should work diligently to normalise the
situation and provide a conducive learning environment for the pupils,” said a city resident Abraham
Phiri of Amaveni.
“The incident serves as a reminder of the need for vigilant monitoring and preventative measures to
safeguard educational institutions from potential hazards,” he added.
