Schools resoundingly respond to Covid-19:

SCHOOLS in Manicaland have been urged to partner with investors to utilise the vast land they are sitting on so as to make themselves self-sufficient and productive.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister Cain Mathema said agricultural productivity is a good way for schools to earn money that will sustain them and eliminate their dependence on Government and donors.

He was speaking at the launch of the Manicaland chapter of the Covid-19 Schools Response Plan at Hartzel High School on Wednesday, where personal protective equipment (PPE) being produced by schools from all districts was showcased.

Minister Mathema said agriculture should be taken seriously as it is part of the new curriculum, adding that it seeks to teach learners to become entrepreneurs, not employees. “Many of our schools are sitting on land, yet they still expect Government to give them money for the schools feeding programme. Some of these schools have more than two hectares of land and they should be producing their own food.

“Let us all strive to generate money and become self-sufficient. If they get an investor they will produce. Let us invite the private sector investors in each school so that they can help.

“We need schools to become factories and we should give them start-up capital to make sure that the learners can conduct practical lessons and be productive,” he said.

The Minister went on to applaud St Columbus High School in Honde Valley, which is already producing bananas.

He also expressed satisfaction with the work being done by schools in producing PPE, including face masks, protective overalls and hand sanitisers.

He said it is imperative for the education sector to take advantage of its competitive advantage to contribute to an effective and rapid response in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

He commended all schools in the province that have taken up the initiative to produce PPE, which will make a meaningful contribution when schools re-open.

“We cannot import masks into the country when we produce cotton. Each school, college and university should be able to produce products like masks, sanitary wear and even its own uniforms.

“Through the competency-based curriculum, learning areas like Fashion and Fabrics, Textile Technology and Design now use industrial machines that enable the learners to design and produce clothes as part of learning.

“The new curriculum is a game changer.

It seeks to equip learners with skills to be able to employ themselves if need be,” he said.

The Covid-19 Schools Response Plan was launched in Mashonaland West last month and has seen schools in that district producing approximately 53 000 masks a day.

Manicaland Provincial Education Director Mr Edward Shumba said the province is geared to produce enough PPEs for all learners and teachers.

Mr Shumba added that he has already received support from Youth Alive through sponsorship of the initiative and the provision of material for the masks and hand sanitizers being produced by the schools.

Manicaland has a total of 720 119 learners and 20 060 teachers.