Some families are transferring their children to more affordable rural schools – although they do not take this step lightly because everyone is aware of severely fallen standards at these state-run institutions.
“Besides struggling to raise fees for this first calendar term of 2015, I face the challenge of settling the outstanding 2014 arrears. My children are at a government primary school that charges $40 per term – but I have failed to pay despite being employed. My company has not been paying workers since last year August,” said Memory Kachere, a worker at a Harare plastic product manufacturing company.
Clemence Mugova, a parent from Highfield, said: “My first born twin sons have been enrolled for grade zero at a local government school, but I am already struggling to meet all the requirements. If my financial situation does not change for the better soon, I might be forced to defer their classes to next term or 2016,” he said.
Withdraw
Mugova noted that those with sustainable means of survival could afford to transfer their children to cheaper institutions, but said the poor would have no option but to withdraw theirs from the education system altogether.
Despite government schools not sending home children for defaulting fee payments, Mugova observed that lack of food and uniforms would take its toll on the majority of children as parents throw in the towel.
He suggested that those in a better economic position should have a big heart and help fund education for the poor, since the Basic Education Assistance Module was failing to meet the needs of orphans and vulnerable children.
BEAM is a government but mainly donor-funded educational facility aimed at paying school fees for the underprivileged children.
No merrymaking
Annah Muchininga, a housewife from Highfield, advised people to redefine their priorities according to the prevailing economic environment.
“Parents should be innovative, put priorities in order and give preference to children’s needs such as education, food and shelter. Families should learn to do away with merrymaking during festive seasons and remain focused on children’s school requirements at the beginning of the year.
“Given the state of the economy, there is need for parents and government to invest in the future of children if ever the country dreams of economic recovery,” said Muchininga, suggesting that women could venture into garden and waste recycling projects to help provide for their school children.
Cut food supplies
Richard Kamwendo, a Harare informal businessman said he had cut food supplies for his son at a private boarding school in Bulawayo.
“This time around I have failed to provide my son with supplementary food and pocket money as the dollar is hard to come by. I think what is important for now is to get the child back to school. He can make do with the food provided by the college for now,” he said.
A Harare teacher married to a nursing sister at Parirenyatwa Hospital, Senzo Khumalo, sent his two daughters to a mission school in Mutare in 2011. For the first time since he has been forced to request school authorities for permission to pay the fees in instalments.
“Realising the collapsed state of the economy, the school authorities agreed that parents spread the $500 fees per child over three months. The only condition is that the balance should not be carried forward to the second term,” said the distressed Khumalo, expressing concern that the ‘melting’ economy had turned parents into beggars without dignity.
Private and mission school heads, who spoke to The Zimbabwean on condition of anonymity, revealed that they appreciated the situation of most parents and had settled for the staggered fee payment arrangement.
Cushion
To help cushion families from spiralling fees, government has reiterated that no school should increase fees without approval of the parent ministry.
“Schools should not unnecessarily increase school fees or turn away children for failing to pay school fees,” Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Lazarus Dokora, warned recently. But this position makes it difficult for the schools to pay teachers, purchase supplies and generally maintain standards.
Sifiso Ndlovu, the chief executive officer Zimbabwe Teachers Association, agreed that provision of education to children had turned into a nightmare and called on stakeholders to do everything possible and ensure that children’s education is not disturbed.
The Zimbabwe Constitution says there should be free and accessible education for all. Chapter 27 says the state must take all practical measures to promote free and compulsory basic education for children at primary, higher and tertiary education levels.
Post published in: News