By Admore Mbonda in Kariba
Kariba – A recent joint monitoring visit by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, in partnership with Camfed and other educational stakeholders, has revealed critical challenges affecting schools in the Kariba district — painting a sobering picture of the conditions many learners and teachers face daily.
The visit, which assessed how schools are aligning with the Heritage-Based Curriculum, also exposed systemic barriers that continue to hinder quality education in the region — just as the national budget planning season approaches.
Schools assessed included Nyamhunga Secondary, Nyamhunga Primary, Seventh Day Adventist Heights Primary, Mahombekombe Secondary, and B and P Primary, with the latter commended for maintaining commendable standards despite ongoing difficulties.
A Snapshot of the Crisis
The findings from the visit revealed a troubling list of challenges, including:
Shortages of qualified teachers
Inadequate teaching and learning materials
Lack of accommodation for staff
Poor sanitation and ablution facilities
Limited land for constructing a district education office (currently operating from two classrooms at Nyamhunga Primary)
Scarcity of space for implementing Heritage-Based Curriculum projects
Learner hunger due to the absence of a school feeding program
Inability of parents to pay school fees
Rising temperatures and heatwaves disrupting learning
Human-wildlife conflict, especially in rural fringes
Non-payment of BEAM (Basic Education Assistance Module) funds since 2023
A Call for Urgent, United Action
Hon. Ophious Murambiwa, Member of Parliament for Zaka North and a member of the Portfolio Committee on Primary and Secondary Education, urged stakeholders not to lose hope.
“The challenges faced by our schools are daunting, but they are not insurmountable. We must work together—with the Ministry, Parliament, and our education partners—to ensure that every child receives a quality education free from the burdens of hunger and inadequate facilities,” he said.
Edison Chauke, Acting Provincial Education Director, noted that Kariba’s challenges mirror broader national trends:
“While we remain committed to fully implementing the Heritage-Based Curriculum, our learners cannot thrive in environments without proper infrastructure and essential resources. These are not luxuries—they are basic rights.”
Taungana Ndoro, Director of Communications and Advocacy in the Ministry, emphasized the importance of collaboration moving forward.
“The Ministry is aware of these issues and is actively working with partners to address them. We are engaging stakeholders to mobilize the resources necessary to give every child a fair chance at education. The future of our country depends on what we do today.”
What’s Next?
The Kariba visit is part of a wider national monitoring effort being conducted across all ten provinces.
The data gathered will inform not only policy direction but also upcoming budget allocations aimed at improving educational infrastructure, equity, and access.
In communities like Kariba—where learners walk long distances to class, often on empty stomachs, and sit in overcrowded, under-resourced classrooms—the stakes are incredibly high.
This is more than a matter of policy. It is a matter of justice, dignity, and the right to learn.
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