Chronicle Editor
Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter
THE Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is carrying out a survey to establish the effects of Covid-19 on the education sector amid fears there could be thousands of school drop-outs as a result of the pandemic.
The pandemic has affected almost all sectors of the economy, especially tourism.
The education sector is one of the key enablers to the country’s growth trajectory through human capital development.
Thousands of workers especially in the tourism industry lost their jobs thereby affecting their families’ livelihoods.
Many especially in Victoria Falls relocated to rural areas and children dropped out of school.
In some parts of the country children are reportedly now engaged in mining and agriculture activities.
Speaking in Victoria Falls after handing over the Secretary’s Merit Award to Mosi-oa-Tunya High School and Chamabondo Primary School on Thursday, Primary and Secondary Education Permanent Secretary Mrs Tumisang
Thabela said Government wants to know the number of children who dropped out of school for various reasons during the lockdown and possibly track them and return them to school.
Her sentiments followed revelations that 560 learners dropped out of school at Mosi-oa-Tunya High since January last year.
“We almost became a mega school with 1 800 learners at some point but we have not been spared by Covid-19. Our enrolment dropped from 1 700 in January 2020 to 1 140 and some students went out of town because parents had lost their jobs,” said Mosi-oa-Tunya High school head Mr Roland Sibanda briefing Mrs Thabela.
In a follow up interview, Mrs Thabela said Government is not yet aware of the exact number of affected children.
“It is a systemic situation which cannot be solved through education alone. Currently we are trying to gather information but you notice that some of the children when they disappear, we can’t trace them.
“We have to track and find out whether they dropped out only because of the expenses since parents are no longer working and some who may have gone because of some engagement in other economic activities. In some situations where mining is prevalent you find children have ventured into mining,” said Mrs Thabela.
She said, even without statistics, the situation was worrying.
“As a country we need to then say what are these things indicating, and definitely it’s a worrying thing especially the Mosi-oa-Tunya one is quite worrying. We need to find out how many of the children went to the rural home because parents are no longer able to work and how many dropped out due to other reasons.
“Unfortunately, this is an exam term so in terms of what comes first, it’s us getting ready for the exams. So, the department of learners’ welfare is busy trying to get the statistics and I haven’t received a consolidated report,” said Mrs Thabela.
She encouraged parents to ensure that children who dropped out of school re-enrol.
Those who might feel that they are no longer comfortable going back to class can take the adult education/non-formal route and get basic education so that they are empowered in whatever activity they are engaged in, she added.
Meanwhile, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Professor Paul Mavima recently said the number of children in need of assistance with school fees is set to increase to 1,5 million next year due to Covid-19 shocks.
He said more than $31 billion is needed to support vulnerable children with education through the Basic Education Assistance Module (Beam) next year. — @ncubeleon
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