Gwanda RDC approves low-cost boarding facility in Garanyemba
By Jonah B Moyo
Gwanda Rural District Council has approved a request from the Garanyemba community to establish a low-cost boarding facility at Garanyemba Secondary School, a move aimed at improving access to education for pupils who travel up to 20 kilometres from surrounding villages.
Community leaders believe the initiative will not only ease long daily journeys but also contribute to improved academic performance and higher pass rates.
Following a community assessment, Garanyemba leaders identified long travelling distances as a major contributing factor to school dropouts, child pregnancies and poor academic performance.
The findings highlighted how the daily journey continues to pose serious challenges for both learners and the school, reinforcing the need for practical solutions to improve access to education and learner retention.
In response to these challenges, the community resolved to construct a low-cost boarding facility as an immediate intervention to accommodate learners from distant villages.
The proposed facility is expected to provide safer and more reliable access to education, while creating an environment that supports consistent attendance and improved academic performance.
Sanele Nyoni of Switsha said children from her area continue to face significant challenges in accessing education due to the long distances they travel each day.
She noted that the proposed low-cost boarding facility would ease this burden and create a more supportive learning environment for pupils from remote villages.
“When our children complete primary school at nearby primary schools, accessing secondary education becomes a serious challenge because Garanyemba Secondary School is very far from our village. With no alternative nearby, we have no choice but to send them there.
“From the first day of Form One until they finish after four years, they leave home as early as 4am and return around 8pm. As parents, this deeply worries us,” she said.
Nyoni expressed optimism about the proposed solution.
“We are pleased that plans are underway to build a low-cost boarding facility so that our children can stay at school. This will help reduce the risks and unlawful activities they may encounter while travelling long distances. We believe it will also allow them to focus more on their studies, take education seriously, and ultimately improve their academic performance,” she said.
Ward 13 Councillor Miklas Ndlovu said many Garanyemba Secondary School learners are forced to walk home after dark, exposing them to significant safety risks.
He noted that the proposed low-cost boarding facility would provide a safer alternative, protecting pupils from potential harm while creating a more stable and supportive learning environment.
“Our learners travel long distances each day to access education, and in many cases they return home after dark. This exposes them to serious risks, as night-time conditions increase their vulnerability,” said Councillor Miklas Ndlovu.
He explained that prolonged travel has been linked to social challenges affecting learners, including child pregnancies, early marriages, and drug and substance abuse.
“When children are exposed to such environments, some eventually drop out of school due to pregnancy or emotional and mental strain. This undermines their future and the development of our community,” he said.
Ndlovu shared a personal experience that underscored the urgency of the situation.
“One evening, I came across learners walking home in pairs boys and girls through the bush at night. It raised serious concerns for me. Some of the young men in these areas are school leavers and may be under the influence of drugs. This is a real challenge for our school and our community,” he said.
He added that the proposed low-cost boarding facility offers a practical solution.
“If resources permit, we are determined to move quickly with the construction of the boarding facility. This will reduce long-distance travel, protect our learners, and help prevent the social challenges that contribute to school dropouts and the destruction of the girl child’s future,” Ndlovu said.
He highlighted that following the green light from the Rural District Council, the community is now prepared to take responsibility for constructing the low-cost boarding facility.
“Our learners come from as far as Mtandawenema and surrounding farming plots and the distance they travel each day is simply too long for a child. That is why the community has resolved to take the lead in constructing this low-cost boarding facility. We are also encouraged that some of our children who are now living outside the country have expressed willingness to support the project financially,” Ndlovu said.
He said the community views the boarding facility as a practical solution to long-standing challenges.
“We are determined to ensure our students have proper accommodation so they can focus on their studies and improve the school’s pass rates. With a boarding facility in place, learners will have more time to study instead of walking home as late as 8pm. It will also reduce their exposure to dangers such as sexual abuse and other risks associated with travelling at night. We believe this is the most sustainable way to protect our students and secure their future,” he said.
Secondary schools in Gwanda District remain limited, particularly along the stretch between Garanyemba Secondary School and Gwanda Town, where there is no other secondary school in between.
This gap has created significant barriers to education for learners from villages such as Switsha, Topota, the surrounding plots, Zhokwe, and Mopane.
Without relatives in town or the financial means to cover daily transport costs, many families are left with few options. Learners are often compelled to walk long distances either to Garanyemba Secondary School or to Gwanda Town to continue their studies.
Community Podium is the recipient of the 2025 Outstanding NGO Reporting Award. This reflects our dedication to amplifying community voices and advancing public-interest journalism.
