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Writes Elvis Dumba
Zvimba – The government has acquired 40 state-of-the-art borehole rigs which will be used to ensure clean water provision for schools in the country.
Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Hon Torerayi Moyo said the borehole rigs will help in the setting up of nutrition irrigation gardens in schools which will help complement the schools’ nutrition feeding programs.
Speaking during the Africa Day School Feeding Commemorations held at Chaedza Zimcor Primary School near Banket, Minister Moyo said the country’s 10500 schools are set to benefit from the borehole drilling rigs with a capacity to drill up to 450 metres.
“We have procured forty borehole rigs which will be used solely to drill water at all of the country’s 10500 schools. We are going to provide drip irrigation equipment for every school for nutritional gardens,” he said.
The 9th edition of Africa Day of School Feeding commemorations was held under the theme: “Investing in Home-Grown School Feeding to Transform Education Systems for an Inclusive and Prosperous Future of the African Continent.”
Minister Moyo said his ministry is committed to ensuring that no child goes to school hungry.
“We commit ourselves to ensuring that no child goes to school hungry or no child is left behind because of poverty or lack of resources. This is in line with our President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s call that no person should be left behind and no student should be left behind in the feeding program. Let us stand together in solidarity, united in our belief that education and nutrition are cornerstones for a thriving society,” he said.
Suzana Kazdova, World Food Program Support Cross-Cutting Priorities and Program Support Lead Officer in Zimbabwe pledged the WFP’s support towards the school’s feeding programs.
“With over six decades of experience, WFP stands ready to support governments in establishing sustainable school feeding programs, leveraging on expertise gained from operating in over 100 countries. Our commitment to support the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education in implementing an effective home-grown school feeding program is unwavering and we aim to ensure that these home-grown school feeding programs have long-term success,” she said.
Mashonaland West Province Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Hon Marian Chombo, said school income-generating projects will ensure the sustainability and success of such programs and help schools financially.
“A percentage of income and produce generated from income-generating projects would help feed pupils and empower schools financially. This resonates well with our National Vision 2030 espoused by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr ED Mnangagwa of achieving an upper-middle-income economy,” she said.
A standard and practical food handlers guide for the home-grown school feeding program was also launched at the commemorations.