Chitungwiza – St Mary’s Constituency Member of Parliament, Brighton Mazhindu has formally requested Chitungwiza Municipality to allocate land within Zengeza Main Primary School grounds for the construction of the constituency’s first government secondary school, a plea that gained fresh urgency after a parliamentary exchange revealed that learners in the area are being forced into private schools and excluded from examination fee subsidies.

In a letter dated 18 September 2025 addressed to the Town Clerk, Mazhindu requested the Municipality to conduct a feasibility assessment of the available land, grant formal approval for the partial use of the school grounds, and facilitate administrative coordination between the Municipality, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, and his office.

The MP highlighted that St Mary’s currently has no government secondary school despite a growing population, forcing many learners to travel long distances or enrol in private institutions, compromising their safety and academic performance.

The land request comes against the backdrop of a heated parliamentary debate last week in which the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education defended its policy of excluding private school learners from the 55% subsidy on ZIMSEC examination fees, arguing that fiscal resources must prioritise the less privileged in state-assisted institutions.

Minister defends subsidy exclusion

Responding to a question from Mazhindu in the National Assembly, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Hon. Torerai Moyo stated that the exclusion is “primarily based on strategic priorities and limited fiscal resources,” adding that public education funding models require strict differentiation between commercial, profit-driven entities and state-assisted institutions.

“Our priority is, therefore, the less privileged so that no one or no place is left behind,” the Minister said.

He further noted that it is standard practice for those from lower classes to send their children to public schools, adding that “even in Western countries, private schools are for the rich.” Private candidates are not beneficiaries of the 55% subsidy given to public school learners, he confirmed.

“What can be done in areas with many private schools?”

The Minister’s response drew a sharp supplementary question from Zengeza West legislator, Innocent Zvaipa, who pointed out the paradox in St. Mary’s.

“There is no Government secondary school. The whole constituency of St. Mary’s in Chitungwiza does not have a secondary school. So, in those places, I do not know what the Hon. Minister is saying. Whether you are rich or poor, you end up sending your child to private schools. So, if you are saying the private schools belong to the rich, I do not know what can be done concerning St. Mary’s.”

In reply, Minister Moyo acknowledged the gap and directed that all 210 Members of Parliament submit names of three schools in their constituencies where government schools are needed.

“If Hon. Zvaipa has a place in St. Mary’s without a secondary school, may he submit the name before the end of this week so that we can construct a Government secondary school in that area,” the Minister said.

MP ready to mobilise resources

Mazhindu, has framed his land request within the ambit of Education 5.0 and the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), which emphasise equitable access to quality education. He has offered to meet with municipal officials to discuss the proposal and provide supporting documentation, and stated his readiness to mobilise resources in collaboration with relevant government ministries, development partners, and the local community.

The appeal comes as Zimbabwe faces a national schools deficit of approximately 3 000 institutions, despite more than 2 800 schools having been built between 2020 and 2024.

A joint parliamentary committee recently raised serious concerns over widespread overcrowding in primary and secondary schools, warning that deteriorating conditions threaten the quality of education.

The Chitungwiza Municipality is yet to officially respond to Mazhindu’s land request.