Manhinga Primary School Records Progress Amid Infrastructure Challenges

By Nelson Geje 

Manhinga Primary School, established in 1982 and led by School Head Samhi Lilian, is making steady strides in improving both academic performance and infrastructure, despite facing significant resource constraints.

The school, which currently has an enrolment of 81 learners, has recorded a notable improvement in its pass rate, rising from 50% to 60%. This achievement reflects growing commitment from both teachers and learners towards academic excellence.

In terms of infrastructure development, the school has successfully fenced both the school yard and the school garden in 2025, enhancing security and creating a safer learning environment. Learners are actively participating in agricultural activities, with beans and potatoes being cultivated in the school garden—an initiative supported by the recent purchase of drip irrigation equipment.

Further improvements include the repair of nine broken window panes and the renovation of the school’s culture hut, which plays a key role in preserving heritage and promoting cultural education.

However, despite these successes, Manhinga Primary continues to grapple with a number of challenges that are hindering its full potential. The school lacks essential learning materials such as HBC textbooks and does not have access to internet connectivity or a laptop for Grade 7 ZIMSEC examination preparation. Additionally, the absence of teachers’ houses remains a major concern, affecting staff accommodation and retention.

The school also faces critical infrastructural gaps, including the lack of a strongroom or safe for securing valuable items, and the absence of basic office equipment such as printers and photocopiers. Access to clean and reliable water remains a challenge, and the school is yet to be electrified, limiting the use of modern learning technologies.

In the area of co-curricular activities, the school is not affiliated with sporting bodies, resulting in limited participation of learners in sports.

Looking ahead, Manhinga Primary has outlined several development plans aimed at transforming the learning environment. These include tiling the school office and classrooms, painting school blocks, securing a solar power plant, and constructing a strongroom or acquiring a safe. The school also aims to expand its agricultural projects through intensive gardening and introduce bee farming as an income-generating initiative.

Plans are also underway to construct teachers’ houses, which are expected to improve staff welfare and stability.

As part of the broader AFM in Zimbabwe Schools initiative, Manhinga Primary School continues to demonstrate resilience and determination in the face of challenges, while actively working towards providing a better future for its learners.