STUDENTS at Kushinga Phikelela Polytechnic in Marondera are set to benefit from improved living conditions following the construction of a new hostel, which is now nearing completion.
The development is part of the Second Republic’s commitment to modernising infrastructure and enhancing educational outcomes across the country.
The new girls’ hostel, with a carrying capacity of 172 students, has been warmly welcomed by learners who say it will ease longstanding accommodation challenges.
“We have been facing a severe shortage of accommodation at our school, and this development is very welcome as some of us will be housed, which will leave us with more time to study while staying on campus,” a student, Sharlom Sikhanda said.
“Some of our colleagues were being mugged while going to their lodgings outside the college, which was very risky, so the new hostels are a welcome development, and we thank the government for this programme,” Student, Savenage Nehumba noted.
The project is being funded under the Public Sector Investment Programme, and the girls’ hostel is equipped with modern sanitation facilities and study areas.
Apart from accommodation, the students are also benefitting from a skills transfer programme, as they were engaged during the construction phase of the project.
“As a student from construction engineering, we were engaged to come and be part of the construction team, so we benefitted a lot from the skills transfer programme, which we will implement once we graduate,” a student, Dashia Makarichi said.
“I am an environmental technician, so part of our work includes monitoring buildings under construction. We were given that opportunity, and we now have more practical experience, which we will use when we graduate,” another student, Tondedrayi Matema added.
Kushinga Phikelela Principal, Mr Roy Mavhunga, is grateful to the Second Republic, which changed the script after construction works, which started in 2003, had stalled.
“We used to face funding challenges, but since the coming of the Second Republic, we have witnessed remarkable progress, and we expect students to start using the hostels very soon,” he said.
The students are currently being accommodated at hostels built 40 years ago, which can only accommodate 180 individuals against an enrollment of over 1 000, so the new hostel is indeed a welcome development.
