Deal to build 1 000 schools sealed 

Source: Deal to build 1 000 schools sealed – herald

Trust Freddy-Herald Correspondent

AT least 1 000 new primary and secondary schools are set to be constructed nationwide after the Government signed a US$420 million Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MAGCOR Consortium Group of Companies Zimbabwe (Private) Limited.

The signing ceremony took place at the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education head office in Harare yesterday.

The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Dr Torerayi Moyo, said the agreement marked a major step in closing Zimbabwe’s school infrastructure gap.

“Through this Memorandum of Understanding, MAGCOR Consortium Group of Companies has made a landmark commitment to support Zimbabwe’s education sector through a development package valued at US$420 million,” he said.

“This significant investment will facilitate the mobilisation of funding, technical expertise and project management capacity for the construction of up to 1 000 modern schools across all 10 provinces of Zimbabwe.”

Dr Moyo said the project gives effect to President Mnangagwa’s principle of “leaving no one and no place behind” by extending modern learning facilities to all 10 provinces.

“Every school that will be constructed under this Memorandum of Understanding represents far more than bricks and mortar. It represents hope for a child, opportunity for a community, and an investment in Zimbabwe’s future,” he said.

MAGCOR Consortium Group of Companies is an international private asset management, development, and investment consortium specialising in executing large-scale infrastructure projects aligned with global sustainability goals.

Operating through international networks, the group designs public-private partnerships funded entirely by capital secured against development milestones rather than state guarantees, allowing national development priorities to progress without straining State treasuries.

According to the MoU, MAGCOR will mobilise funding, technical expertise and project management for the construction of new schools, rehabilitation of existing ones and provision of equipment and supporting infrastructure.

“The partnership also provides for the rehabilitation and modernisation of existing schools, the provision of educational equipment and supporting infrastructure, the development of teacher accommodation and other facilities that enhance teaching and learning.

“Upon completion, all educational infrastructure developed under this partnership will be handed over to the Government of Zimbabwe through the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, becoming public schools that will serve generations of Zimbabwean learners, expanding access to quality, equitable, and relevant education for the present and future generations,” reads the MoU.

Prof Moyo said the partnership is aligned with Vision 2030 and NDS2, which identify human capital and infrastructure as key drivers of growth.

“The successful delivery of the Heritage-Based Education Curriculum depends not only on quality teaching, but also on the availability of modern learning environments,” he said.

“This partnership will significantly strengthen our capacity.”

Prof Moyo added that the schools would also help meet the target of ensuring learners do not walk more than five kilometres to the nearest school.

The Minister thanked the President for creating an investment-friendly environment and commended MAGCOR for “investing in the education of our children.”

MAGCOR Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Michael Joseph Glynn, said the Zimbabwe National Education Advancement Initiative would be rolled out through non-recourse financing.

“Delivered through a non-recourse financing mechanism, the programme ensures that project financing is secured against project outcomes and does not create additional sovereign debt obligations for the Government of Zimbabwe,” he said.

“The initiative aligns with Zimbabwe’s national development priorities and contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals established by the UN, particularly those focused on quality education, innovation, sustainable communities, economic growth, and reduced inequalities.”

Mr Glynn also indicated that implementation of the massive educational infrastructure programme will commence immediately, with the first tangible results expected on the ground within the next 60 days.

This comes as the Government is accelerating efforts to transform Zimbabwe’s education system, with over 500 new schools having been constructed across the country in the past three years, a move that underlines the Government’s commitment to inclusivity and sustainable development in line with Vision 2030.

The ongoing large-scale school construction and rehabilitation drive is being spearheaded through devolution funding, in partnership with the private sector, faith-based organisations and development agencies.

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