By Patience Gondo
GOVERNMENT will construct 40 school science laboratories across Matabeleland South Province to address long standing shortage of STEM facilities and have students from Matabeleland South learn science subjects.
Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe announced the development while addressing mourners at the burial of liberation war heroine and cultural icon Rumbidzai Libombo at Makakavhule District Heroes Acre.
“You rarely find large numbers of students from Matabeleland South studying STEM at institutions such as NUST or Gwanda State University. This is not because of discrimination, but because of the type of education our children receive,” he said.
The minister said many schools in the province lacked laboratories, making it difficult for pupils to properly learn subjects such as Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
“How can a child do science without a laboratory? What we end up producing are graduates with non practical degrees skills ,”Nguluvhe said .
He said he had raised the matter with President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who had responded by approving the construction of 40 laboratories in the province.
“I want to thank His Excellency for giving us a way forward. Since Matabeleland South will be hosting the 46th Independence celebrations, the President has agreed that 40 laboratories will be built in the province,” Nguluvhe said.
He said the laboratories would be distributed across the province’s seven districts to ensure equitable access, adding that Beitbridge would receive a larger share.
“Just as I am a father of seven children, Matabeleland South has seven districts. The laboratories will be shared among them so that every child benefits,” he said.
Nguluvhe said the late Libombo’s life demonstrated the importance of practical skills, describing her as a multi-skilled craftswoman, cultural instructor and mentor who used her talents to educate and uplift the community.
He said parents, educators and learners should embrace skills-based education, saying the new laboratories should translate into improved science enrolment, better examination results and increased participation of Matabeleland South students in STEM careers.
The province has seven districts Beitbridge, Bulilima, Gwanda, Insiza, Mangwe, Matobo and Umzingwane many of which have rural schools operating without fully equipped science facilities.