Dilapidated Chewumba Primary School in Jambezi poses danger to students, community appeals for help

Victor Sibanda

Chewumba Primary School in Jambezi, a stone’s throw away from the majestic Victoria Falls, stands as a stark reminder of crumbling infrastructure and the desperate need for intervention.

The once-proud school established in 1954 is now a shadow of its former self, with dilapidated buildings threatening the safety of both learners and teachers. The weight of this crisis lies heavy on the hearts of the local community.

At a recent village meeting, the School Development Committee (SDC) chairperson, Mongameli Sibanda, painted a grim picture. “Our school is a ramshackle,” he declared, his voice thick with concern. “We are appealing to the donor community to help us. We need a standard fence and modern cottages for teachers and the head of the school.

“Villagers said that the Government is doing its best by sending qualified teachers and learning materials, yet they are failing to complement this effort. The lack of school fees adds another layer of hardship.

“As parents, we are not paying fees despite getting help from Government, and this is a challenge to the development of this school,” Sibanda lamented. His plea for assistance extends beyond classrooms. “If only we can get donations to build ablution facilities for our learners, it would be much better,” he added.

Ntandoyenkosi Moyo, the headmistress, echoed Sibanda’s concerns at the meeting. “The school needs a lot of face-lift,” she said with a heavy heart. Recognising the community’s efforts to prop up the crumbling structures with pillars, she emphasised the urgency of a more permanent solution. “You made efforts to construct pillars to support the walls from splitting. But I am saying we need new cottages and classroom blocks. These structures will give in anytime. This is a hazard,” she warned.

Moyo outlined a vision for a revitalised school. “We have water; we need to kickstart projects like goat farming, fish farming, and horticulture,” she envisioned. However, the dilapidated fence serves as a constant obstacle. “Animals are destroying our garden which is not well fenced,” she said, pointing to the ineffective wooden barrier.

The headmistress emphasised the importance of seeking external support. “It would be ideal if the community could find a donor to assist them in refurbishing the school,” she stated.The Early Childhood Development (ECD) classroom adds another layer of concern. “It needs painting and artworking outside. The play centre needs reconstruction,” Moyo said, highlighting the neglected space where young minds should be nurtured.

“Our children have no play centre, and this is worrying us. Let us do something also as a community. We will not get good results as long as we have such facilities,” she declared, urging a collective effort in the community.

Malvern Ngwenya, a resident of the area, painted a picture of imminent danger. “The school blocks are a death trap,” he said, his voice laced with worry. He acknowledged the community’s attempts to provide some respite by moulding bricks for the roof and building toilets, but the limitations of their resources were evident. “Perhaps if we may get help from elsewhere,” he pleaded, suggesting that even materials would be a welcome boost, as the community could contribute their labour.

Barclar Zondo, a former student who has gone on to become an educationist, could not remain silent. “I shed a tear to see this school in this state,” he said, his voice heavy with emotion. Zondo pledged to lobby others to join the cause. “We cannot fold our arms and watch this centre of learning crumble,” he declared.

Kelvin Maphosa, a parent at the school, spoke of the willingness within the community. “We are willing to help build the school, but we are poor,” he confessed. Poverty, he explained, was a significant barrier to their ability to contribute financially.

The needs of Chewumba Primary School are clear: standard ablution blocks, reconstructed classrooms, a secure fence to protect their efforts, and proper housing for staff to facilitate the implementation of the Heritage-based curriculum projects.

The community stands ready to contribute their labour, but a lack of resources threatens to leave their beloved school in ruins. As the walls of Chewumba Primary School crumble, so too does the hope for a brighter future for the children who walk through its doors each day. The plea for help is a resounding one, a call to action for those who can make a difference.