Binga – Binga South legislator Hon. Fanuel Cumanzala has commended the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education for its comprehensive understanding of the educational challenges facing Binga District and its commitment to improving access to quality education in remote communities.

Speaking after receiving a detailed response in Parliament from the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Hon. Torerayi Moyo, Hon. Cumanzala described the Ministry’s response as encouraging and evidence that Government is fully aware of the unique challenges confronting learners and teachers in the district.

“The Minister’s response was comprehensive and demonstrates that the Ministry is conversant with the realities on the ground in Binga. It is reassuring to know that deliberate measures are being taken to improve access to education and strengthen teacher deployment in our rural communities,” said Hon. Cumanzala.

The Minister revealed that Binga District currently serves more than 58,000 learners through 60 registered primary schools, 68 satellite primary schools, 21 registered secondary schools and 29 satellite secondary schools. He highlighted that the establishment of satellite schools has significantly reduced the distances travelled by learners, while 40 satellite schools have already met the minimum infrastructure requirements for full registration.

Hon. Cumanzala welcomed these developments but urged the Ministry to expedite the registration of satellite schools that have already attained the required standards.

“Several satellite schools in Binga now have the necessary infrastructure and deserve to graduate into fully registered schools. Fast-tracking this process will improve service delivery and enhance educational opportunities for our children,” he said, adding that he would submit a list of qualifying schools to assist the Ministry.

The Minister welcomed the proposal and assured Parliament that schools meeting the prescribed standards would be considered for registration after the necessary verification process. He also pledged to prioritise support for rural constituencies by assisting selected satellite schools to attain full functionality.

Hon. Cumanzala also applauded the Ministry’s initiatives to improve teacher retention through the construction of staff accommodation, provision of potable water, and recruitment of teachers from local communities. He said these interventions would contribute significantly to improving the quality of education in Binga.

He reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with the Ministry, local communities and education stakeholders to ensure that every child in Binga has access to quality education regardless of where they live.