Intervention in the District of Chipinge
Kubatana Secondary School
Impact of Cyclone Idai
Kubatana Secondary School is a satellite school in Chipinge established due to the ever-increasing student’s enrollment. This school had substandard infrastructure, which was considered temporary as the school is still being established. Cyclone Idai demolished most classroom blocks in this school as they were constructed hurriedly with cheap construction materials. Close to 130 pupils were affected, this led to the school; resorting to hot sitting in order to avoid pupils attending classes under trees. The sanitation situation became devastating as almost all of their latrines got deroofed
BCI Intervention
This school received 2X2 classroom blocks and 10 squat hole latrines (inclusive of 2 disability and 1 girl friendly latrines). The bricks used were molded on site using cement to ensure the infrastructure conforms to the BBB approach in post-disaster reconstruction. The surrounding communities also contributed in the 1st phase of the project before the Covid19 pandemic which stimulated community project ownership. The SDC committee was constantly engaged throughout the construction to also buttress project sustainability.
Impact of BCI Intervention
The pupils in this school now emphasize that the new infrastructure is making them feel safer during heavy rains and storms compared to the previous classroom blocks. 2 streams of form 2’s and 3’s are now making use of the new classroom blocks giving a total of 223 pupils. Improved ventilation is being experienced and the pupils are no longer crowded as before which is compliant to the Covid19 regulations. With regards to sanitation, the built latrines reduced the school’s pupil to squat hole ratio from a 1:52 to 1:15. The introduction of a girl friendly latrine has improved menstrual hygiene and eliminated absenteeism as the girl child can now cater for all of their menstrual needs at the school premises. This girl friendly latrine was equipped with a shower, basin, cabinet (to store pads, soap and towels) and connected to constantly running water which have all become very useful at this this school.
Charuma Primary school
Impact of Cyclone Idai
One of the classroom blocks at Charuma Primary school was affected by Cyclone Idai leading to the destruction of the roof as depicted in the pictures below. Aging infrastructure was a key concern as some roofing trusses were being attacked by termites. The destroyed classroom block had 3 classrooms housing 119 pupils who were all negatively affected. These pupils ended up attending classes under trees to cater for this classroom deficit. This was a dangerous learning environment as the pupils were exposed to harsh weather conditions.
BCI Intervention
The BCI project constructed a 1X2 classroom block and 10 squat hole latrines (5 for boys and 5 for girls, inclusive of 2 disability friendly latrines) at Charuma Primary School. The community played a vital role as they molded some bricks, ferried river sand and pit sand during the 1st phase of the project. The SDC committee was very involved during the whole construction process and assisted in mobilizing the community in project participation. The build back better approach was also incorporated in this school which led to the infrastructure withstanding the Cyclones Chalane, Eloise, Ana & Batsirai which came after Idai.
Impact of BCI Intervention
The school pupils constantly indicate the cool temperatures which prevail in their new classroom block (caused by the roof insulation used) which makes it a suitable learning environment given the prevailing hot temperatures in this region. Currently 70 grade 6 & 7 pupils are making use of this classroom block at this school. The teachers anticipate in increase in the pass rate due to the improved learning environment for the grade 7 exam writing class. The 10 latrines constructed in this school have improved the pupil to squat hole ratio from 1:25 to 1:13 having a positive impact on sanitation.
Charuma ECD Block
Impact of Cyclone Idai
This school had their ECD block destroyed by Cyclone Idai leaving it with no roof. Consequently, the 75 ECD A & B pupils had nowhere to attend classes. The aging infrastructure in this school made it vulnerable to being significantly affected by Cyclone Idai. The staff latrines in this school had been already dilapidated when Cyclone Idai struck and destroyed them. This led to significant delays in starting morning lessons as staff members (males and females) were sharing 1 latrine for bathing.
BCI Intervention
The BCI project constructed 1 classroom block with 2 classrooms replacing the 2 ECD classrooms destroyed by Cyclone Idai. A total of 2 latrine blocks with 14 squat hole latrines were constructed (5 for boys, 5 for girls & 4 for staff, inclusive of 4 disability friendly latrines). The community contributed to brick molding and sourcing the locally available resources as part of the community participation approach which stimulated community tolerance to development initiatives. Throughout the construction process, district engineers inspected the works to ensure the build back better principles were being put into practice. The width of the classroom block was positioned on the windward side to ensure heavy winds do not remove the classroom block roofs. After construction, the effects of Cyclones Chalane, Eloise, Ana and Batsirai did not affect the new infrastructure which resembled the quality and strength of the new buildings.
Impact of BCI Intervention
Currently 89 pupils are utilizing the new ECD block comprising of both ECD A & B pupils. These are also the same pupils using the new 10 student latrines built by the BCI project. The sanitation situation in this school has considerably improved with their pupil to squat hole ratio improving from 1:19 to 1:12. Both teachers and pupils have highlighted the improved ventilation and cool temperatures prevailing in the classroom block during summer times which ensures that pupils do not feel hot and drained during classes. This has consequently improved the concentration and attention span of pupils.