adminFeature Robin Muchetu in Gwanda
WHEN communities appreciate the importance of education, they can do anything to make sure that their children acquire it and be better citizens — they can go even to the extent of selling their most prized possessions to ensure that the required fees are raised and that they fulfill the provisions of the constitution — that every child has a right to education.
But it becomes another story when goats whose monies were used to pay for children’s education begin to succumb to drought and the chickens also start losing value. Parents start worrying about the future and wonder what will happen to the future of their children if they fail to pay their children’s school fees.
This is the dilemma that children in Garanyemba Village in Gwanda District are faced with if the rains do not fall and livestock — their only sure source of livelihood is affected by a looming drought. Children at Garanyemba Primary School are drawn from nearby villages and parents are finding the going tough. They can hardly afford the decent three meals a day, let alone paying the tuition fees of US$20 per term as many of them are not gainfully employed. The situation is particularly biting to those that have more than two children in school.
Most of them are peasant farmers who have been hard hit by the changing climatic conditions that have affected the world at large that has added to their already full catalogue of problems to deal with. The villagers are just poor. The region is naturally very arid, fields are brown, empty, and the scotching sun is not doing any justice, it is worsening their plight as bony cattle and goats are grazing what is left of pastures and are dwindling at an alarming rate. Parents now have to sell more than five chickens to raise $20 to send a single kid to school.
A nearby dam is fast drying up and livestock gets trapped in the muddy water regularly as they try to drink from the once thriving watering hole. And the state of the villagers’ livestock speaks volumes about their worth in terms of prices — they don’t fetch much on the market and worse among themselves but they have no choice. The choice that is there for them is between keeping their livestock while schoolchildren sit at home, or keep them so that they die of drought as they have no means of buying supplementary feeding which to them costs an arm and a leg. And so it remains a poverty circle.
The result is that many of the animals are dying from the heat and hunger. These are the same animals that are supposed to be sold and assist in the payment of school fees. The future of the children looks bleak.
Mr Tsepo Cheda a former pupil at Garanyemba Primary School who visited the school last week during a prize-giving day ceremony as guest of honour said it was important that villagers dispose of their livestock when there was still time.
“Villagers must sell their chickens and goats so that they pay school fees for their children. It is of no use to hold on to animals while your children are seated at home. Some fathers are also not exemplary, they spend the day at various drinking spots begging well-to-do friends and community members for money to buy opaque beer, never have I come across one who asked for money to pay school fees,” he said.
Mr Cheda a holder of a Masters Degree in Peace and Governance Studies and who is working in South Sudan said education needs to be taken seriously if children were to succeed. He also spoke of the importance of both parents in a child’s life.
“I am surprised that only mothers are here, where are the fathers to these children who are receiving prizes? It is important that fathers attend such events so that a child is motivated. It may seem small but it is important,” said Mr Cheda.
He mentioned that back in 1974 when he was a first grader at the school there were no prize-giving days, neither did they wear school uniforms as they were luxuries that they could not afford.
“Today all children here are well dressed. You are privileged to have shoes and school uniforms, something that we never enjoyed in our time. I applaud parents that are making an effort,” he said.
Mrs Nelly Chauke a villager from Garanyemba said she sold her goat to raise school fees.
“I sold a goat for $50 and I paid for two terms because I had no source of income and I am happy my child is attending classes. I encourage all parents not to be stingy with their livestock looking at the drought situation. They should sell and take their children to school,” she said.
The school headmistress, Mrs Ancillar Mutemeri, lamented the increase in absenteeism at the school.
“Some children here can go for weeks without attending classes only to show up when they hear there are tests to be written but the fact is tests are not all that matter but the actual lessons are vital,” she said.
Parents were also encouraged to ensure their children attend classes so that they do not lag behind.
Children from the primary school left many with teary eyes after singing a song that encouraged parents to complete a classroom block that is now at roof level but shortage of funds is hampering its completion.
“Ukufundela phandle kunzima, lizwa njani bazali lingakhi isikolo (conducting lessons outside is difficult, how do you feel parents if you don’t want to build the school),” they sang.
They were encouraging parents to aid in the completion of the new classroom block so that they have a place to learn from as they are currently sharing classrooms. The headmistress of the school said two classes were sharing one classroom which was not very conducive for learning purposes. Other classes are said to be learning from outside.
In terms of school development the chairman of the committee, Mr Ian Sibanda, said teachers as much as children need a conducive environment to learn in and live in too. He said their accommodation needs to be looked into regularly.
He said all stakeholders need to play an active role so that children and teachers perform to the best of their ability.
A call was also made for the local leadership to play its part in the development of rural schools as they can aid in mobilising funds for school projects from businesspeople and other stakeholders.
Former pupils like Mr Cheda were praised for their continued support for the school after he donated soccer balls, exercise books and foodstuffs to the school.
The Minister of Rural Development and Promotion of Culture and Heritage Cde Abednico Ncube, however, assured the people of Gwanda that food aid was on its way.
“Cattle are dying and there is shortage of food in this region but I promise the people that food aid is on its way. Maize has been ordered and will be delivered soon from the President. People should not panic as they will be assisted,” he said.
Online Reporter