(Last Updated on January 9, 2013 by Editor)
ZIMBABWE – CHINESE language is to be taught in a newly opened school in Mazowe named after President Mugabe’s current wife, Grace.
The school, Amai Mugabe Junior School was opened yesterday in Mazowe with 97 pupils and is expected to teach Chinese language among other subjects.
The opening of Amai Mugabe Junior School was witnessed by Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Lin Lin.
According to ZBC News, the pioneer group comprises 41 girls and 56 boys.
Thirty of the pupils are day scholars drawn from the Mazowe community while 67 are boarders.
The school has two departments; the infants section for grades 0 to 2 and the junior school department for grades 3 to 7.
The school has 11 teachers and also teaches computers.
Speaking during a brief ceremony to mark the opening of the school, Mugabe’s wife Grace said she valued education as the cornerstone of national development.
“The school places strong emphasis on independent, creative and critical thinking, equipping the children with skills that can be adapted to the modern working and learning environment,” she said.
Sports such as hockey, cricket and rugby will also be taught at the school.
The double storey school complex, built on 7 720 square metres of land has 27 classrooms, a library, an art room, a music room, offices and auxiliary equipment rooms.
Construction of the school began on November 8, 2011 and was completed 11 months later on 31 October 2012.
The school is the second phase of projects that have been implemented in Mazowe under the Grace Mugabe Foundation following the establishment of the Grace Mugabe Children’s Home, which is catering for 47 children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Plans are already at an advanced stage to establish a secondary school and a tertiary institution in the area under the Grace Mugabe Foundation projects.