The Sunday News
By Lulu Brenda Harris
5 January 2013
PREPARATIONS for the construction of a school at Lupane centre, in Matabeleland North, funded by the Chinese government are on course as the constructors are carrying out last-minute surveying and will start building once satisfied with the site.
The school project, which was started two years ago, is a gift from the Chinese government to the people of Zimbabwe to promote education.
Education, Sport, Arts and Culture deputy minister, Cde Lazarus Dokora, said Chinese officials have been to the site on numerous occasions and were busy conducting various tests and collecting samples.
The deputy minister described the Chinese as meticulous people who paid particular attention to detail and were still carrying out relevant site tests.
“The Chinese have been to the site with our education ministry officials. They have been busy collecting data, various soil samples, testing the land and other geometrical stuff. Officials from physical planning have also been to the site attesting to what type of structure would suit the area,†he said.
“Once they are done the physical real construction will take much shorter than the planning but otherwise everything is on course,†he said.
This school was at the centre of controversy in 2011 when its relocation was still undecided.
Initially the project had been earmarked for Bubi but was later moved to Lupane, which is the capital for Matabeleland North.
Leaders from Bubi were not amused with its relocation and described the move as “underhand†because the district is a resettlement area arguing it was no secret that “detractors†refused to see any form of development occurring in the area.
However the education ministry officials dismissed that notion and explained that it was ideal for the school to be situated in Lupane, which was the centre of Matabeleland North.
Minister David Coltart said his ministry recommended the Chinese to build the school in Lupane because it would be at a focal point.