The highly publicised donation of textbooks, computers, internet access, and food aid to Cowdray Park Primary School in Bulawayo by the Mthuli Ncube Foundation over the past weekend has sparked widespread controversy, raising questions about the government’s longstanding neglect of public education.
Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube, acting through his foundation, handed over mealie meal for the school feeding programme and a selection of textbooks to ease shortages. While the gesture was meant to provide support to the school, critics argue that it underscores the state’s failure to fulfil its constitutional duty to provide quality education for all.
Many parents, pupils, and education activists expressed frustration that a school’s survival has been made dependent on charity from a cabinet minister rather than adequate government provision. “For years we have been forced to share one textbook between five or more children. Some of us were failing to understand lessons because we had no reference material. Yes, this donation helps, but it should never have come to this. Where has government been all along?” a frustrated pupil asked.
Parents echoed the same sentiment, welcoming the donation but also highlighting its troubling implications. One parent commented, “This gesture is welcome, but it’s also embarrassing. Why must an entire school depend on handouts from a minister when it is the government’s constitutional duty to provide education? It shows the system has completely collapsed.”
Even school authorities acknowledged the importance of the donation, while emphasising the persistent gaps in resources that plague their institution. Deputy Head Mrs Zanele Haruzivishe said, “We are excited, but the truth is that for years our learners have been abandoned. This is just a drop in the ocean compared to what is really needed to fix our school.”
Mthuli Ncube ‘Plays Santa’ Amid Zimbabwe’s Crumbling Education System
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube highlighted that the donation, which included computers and internet access, was aimed at preparing pupils for the digital era. However, parents and education experts dismissed this claim, arguing that the government appears to be prioritising optics over addressing basic needs.
“The only government school in this area is being turned into a photo opportunity for political mileage,” said one parent. “They talk of Vision 2030, yet our children are hungry and without basic books. How can you speak of digital literacy when the basics are missing?”
This criticism points to a broader concern over the state of public education in Zimbabwe, where schools often struggle to survive on sporadic donations from well-meaning individuals rather than consistent government support. The disparity between promises of a modern, digitally literate workforce and the harsh reality of classrooms without textbooks and meals has left parents and educators questioning government priorities.
The donation to Cowdray Park Primary has reignited debate over the collapse of Zimbabwe’s education system. Across the country, schools continue to report shortages of teaching materials, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient support for school feeding programmes. Many pupils rely on shared textbooks, overcrowded classrooms, and improvised learning environments, often falling behind academically due to these systemic gaps.
Education analysts say the issue is not the goodwill of private foundations or individual ministers, but the failure of the state to ensure access to quality education for all children. “Charity should supplement, not replace, government responsibility,” noted an education policy expert. “The focus must be on long-term solutions: adequate funding, provision of textbooks, teacher training, and school infrastructure. Anything else is merely a stopgap.”
The episode has also highlighted a growing public concern over the use of charitable gestures for political gain. By linking donations to high-profile figures such as Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube, critics argue that the government is attempting to project a veneer of progress while fundamental challenges remain unresolved.
For many in Cowdray Park, the donation brought a temporary sense of relief, particularly for pupils benefiting from the school feeding programme. However, the overall response reflects frustration and disillusionment with a system that leaves vital services to chance and goodwill.
Parents and teachers alike have called for a renewed focus on government accountability. “We don’t need handouts; we need sustainable support,” said one parent. “Children deserve schools that are fully resourced, where learning isn’t dependent on who decides to visit and donate. It’s time for the government to act on its promises.”
As Zimbabwe navigates ongoing economic and social challenges, the controversy surrounding the Mthuli Ncube Foundation donation serves as a stark reminder of the gap between political symbolism and practical solutions. While the support provides short-term relief, it also underscores the urgent need for systemic reform to ensure that public education is adequately funded, resourced, and protected for every child in the country.
Source- ZimEye
