A government-run school in Masvingo District faces a serious health and humanitarian crisis. A total of 136 pupils and four teachers share one squat hole toilet. Additionally, the classrooms are dilapidated, worsening the situation.
At Chikwanda Primary School, learners and teachers use bush toilets daily. As a result, human waste is scattered across the school grounds. Parents report that workers from Sando Bricks also use the same toilet. The company is allegedly owned by Minister Lovemore Matuke.
The School Development Committee chairperson confirmed the crisis. “We have challenges but the biggest is on toilets. We have one toilet shared by pupils, teachers and workers from Matuke’s brick moulding company,” said Mabwazvike.
“We are happy that Matuke has drilled 10 squat holes. We currently have four teachers, three females and one male. Three of them commute daily from Masvingo to Chikwanda, and they spend about US$8 each day on transport, which is very costly. Our married staff member is staying in accommodation we arranged for her, but the conditions are overcrowded. She shares the house with workers from the brick moulding company. The classroom block that is collapsing poses a serious risk to our students.”
Unsafe Learning Environment and Overburdened Teachers
The school uses classrooms converted from an old homestead. However, these structures are unsafe and near collapse. The buildings have wide cracks and damaged roofs. Furthermore, floors are potholed and windows lack panes.
Teachers dismiss pupils when it rains due to safety concerns. Clearly, the risk of injury remains high. Teachers also face accommodation challenges and long commutes. Most travel daily from Masvingo at high personal cost.
Student teachers share housing with a security guard. Meanwhile, only three teachers manage nine classes. One teacher handles ECD A, ECD B, and Grade 1 together. Another teacher manages both Grade 2 and Grade 3.
Calls for Government Action and Accountability
Minister Torerai Moyo said the Government is aware of such schools. He highlighted budget allocations in the 2026 Financial Budget.
However, education administrators remain sceptical about funding. They report no infrastructure funds received in five years.
A concerned parent urged Minister Matuke to intervene. “This school is at the same place where Matuke has established a brick moulding company, and I wonder why, as a senior Government Minister, he is not moved by these disgusting conditions the children learn under here,” the parent said.
“More baffling is that his workers share this overcrowded toilet with kids. We are not happy at all with a situation where men are using the same toilets with ECD and Grade 1 girls.”
Reports indicate that Matuke ended a phone call after being alerted. Meanwhile, Masvingo North MP Brian Mudhumi pledged support. He will donate cement for toilet construction. Matuke also pledged to provide bricks for the project.
Furthermore, union leaders called for urgent intervention. PTUZ president Takavafira Zhou urged the Ministry to assess infrastructure gaps.
ARTUZ president Obert Masaraure criticised delayed reforms. He argued the issue persists due to unimplemented recommendations.
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