The Sunday News
Dumani Moyo Sunday News Reporter
HILLSIDE Teachers’ College on Friday received $75 000 from the Embassy of Japan to refurbish the college’s physical education building.
The development comes after part of the college’s infrastructure was improved in the run-up to the 2014 Region 5 Under-20 Youth Games which were held in the city in December last year.
Speaking during the signing ceremony at the college’s gymnasium, Japanese ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Yoshinobu Hiraishi said the grant will be used for the total renovation of the gymnasium and to purchase exercise equipment.
“This project intends to provide students with exercising environment, which is good for health. Students will be able to learn more knowledge and skills of sports in an appropriate setting and this will enable the college to foster more advanced teachers.
“Students majoring in other subjects, lecturers and community members as well will have access to the facilities so that they will enjoy more sporting activity. We need this project to have a positive impact to both the institution and the community,” he said.
Mr Hiraishi also revealed that the Japanese embassy is funding the construction of Tshayile Primary School in Bubi.
“The embassy has donated $100 000 in another project to construct the Tshayile Primary School. The grant is to be used for constructing four classroom blocks and their furnishing in order to improve the learning environment at the school for both pupils and teachers,” he said.
“We had been touched by the situation there. Pupils of the school are currently attending lessons in a most coarse building which leads to their poor learning environment and eventually to the high rate of school drop-outs. Due to this situation, it is critical to support the children in order to realise their fundamental right to education.”
Hillside Teachers’ College principal Mr Edward Gumpo said he was grateful to see the embassy of Japan playing a part in the support of education in Zimbabwe.
“We are glad to see our education being supported. On behalf of Hillside Teachers’ College, we are particularly delighted to be associated with this important development in the teacher education sphere under the co-operation of the Government of Zimbabwe and Japan.
“This special request from the embassy was put together on behalf of the college by the two Japanese volunteers attached at the Physical Education and Foundations of Sport Department. This will undoubtedly be of great use to the students of Physical Education and Foundations of Sport Department in their professional studies,” he said.
