Church set to open skills training college

Bishop Chimuka, left, helps workmen with plastering internal walls of one of the college blocks

Zim Now Writer

Light Harvest Ministries Church has heeded government’s call for the establishment of new learning institutions to fill in the deficit by establishing a private college at Gumbo Service Centre in the Zaka District of Masvingo Province.

Founder and leader of Light Harvest Ministries, Bishop Kudakwashe Chimuka said the institution should be complete by end of January by which time they would also be done with the registration process.

“We have seen that there is a lot of idleness which is leading to our own children engaging in illicit activities such as drugs and substance abuse. These are our children and we want their lives to change through the skills they will get here.

“We are already in the process of recruiting lecturers who will teach Motor Mechanics, Welding, Building, and Carpentry among other skills.”
Chimuka said Gumbo has been accorded service centre status by government, a development that will create demand for services like this college.

“Once we complete the plastering of this block, we will then move to the toilets and sheds out there. We will draw water from the nearby borehole as we work towards an alternative water source for the college,” he said.

Chimuka added that students who would want to supplement their “O” or “A” Levels can still do so at the college, which will recruit qualified and experienced teachers for the subjects based on need.

A local parent, Fanuel Mutumba praised the church’s initiative, saying that equipping children with skills is the way to go.

“Teaching learners skills will help them in life since jobs are scarce. They can start their own businesses once they get skilled. This will help in the development of the community and country at large as they will create jobs,” said Mutumba.

The provision of skills training is in line with government's deliberate policy to promote competence-based education and training, which is aimed at producing graduates who will create employment as opposed to employment seekers.