Teachers at Mukwirimba Primary School in Masvingo Province are facing a dire daily struggle, waking up at 3am to queue for water at an unprotected well kilometers away.
The school’s borehole, once a reliable source, now pumps rusty water unfit for domestic use, forcing educators to sacrifice sleep and arrive late to work.
“This is not just an inconvenience; it’s a reflection of our government’s negligence,” said a teacher, who wished to remain anonymous.
“Clear and safe water is a basic human right, and its absence is a direct infringement on our rights and those of our students.”
The water crisis has taken a toll on the school community. Teachers report exhaustion, and students miss classes due to absenteeism.
“We’re not just educators; we’re also caregivers,” the teacher added.
“How can we provide a conducive learning environment without basic amenities?”
Obert Masaraure, president of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ), condemned the situation, citing years of underfunding in education.
“Water and sanitation challenges are now common in both urban and rural schools, even outside drought seasons.
“It’s unacceptable that schools have suffered neglect, and learners and teachers bear the burden.”
Masaraure criticized the government’s priorities, pointing to the President’s $2.5 million birthday celebration in Masvingo while schools in the region lack clean water.
“Channeling those funds towards water infrastructure could have provided clean water to all schools.
“It’s ironic that the Head of State indulges in luxuries while our schools suffer.”
A recent ARTUZ’s third-term report warned of high cholera risks due to gaps in water and sanitation.
“The third term has high cholera risks, the studies conducted by the union expose gaps in terms of water and sanitation.
“The union will continue to monitor the water and sanitation situation in school and will raise alarms when learners if learners are exposed to cholera or other water borne diseases during the rainy season,” reads an extract from the report.
