Boarding schools have been urged to take advantage of land reform to produce enough food and hedge against the high cost of feeding pupils.

In an interview Mashonaland East provincial education director Mr Sylvester Matshaka expressed shock that boarding schools were reluctant to take advantage of the Government's land reform programme.

He said the schools could take advantage of the programme and grow food like other institutions such as the Zimbabwe Prison Services.

"The land reform programme is one of the most innovative ways of raising income and providing food for boarders with assurance of Government support," he said.

Mr Matshaka said boarding schools like Bernard Mizeki College in Marondera have beef cattle, piggery and chicken projects with a potential to supply other markets.

This could boost school incomes while simultaneously reducing the frequency in increases of both boarding and tuition fees.

"There is also need to identify other income-generating projects to complement schools' financial resources to avoid burdening parents.

‘Today's economic challenges require devising strategic ways to improve quality of life."

Some boarding schools in Mashonaland East province have benefitted from land reform.

These include Mandedza in Seke, Murehwa Mission, Monte Casino and Nhowe Mission in Macheke.