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Nhlalwenhle Ngwenya . .
PUPILS from different rural areas around Hwange fail to realise their academic potential, spending theA� better part of their days at home fearing lions and elephants that occasionally stray into the villages.
As soon as elephants or lions are seen in Jambezi, Sidinda, Munona, Jenhembi and Chikamba villages parents and guardians discourage pupils from attending school for periods that stretch into weeks.
Those that walk 12-15 kilometres to school are the most affected.
One of the parents Simon Mudimba, from Chikamba village said it was too risky for their children to go to school when wild animals were roaming around.
a�?We understand that children have to learn but they cannot put their lives on the line. Wild animals usually kill our cattle and we fear they may attack our children on their way to school. The best option is for them to stay home if ever lions and elephants are seen nearby,a�? said Mudimba.
Chikamba Village head for ward 1, 2 and 3 Vincent Sikuka said villagers also suffered during the farming season.
a�?Elephants also invade our fields leaving us with little crops to take us through the rest of the year,a�? said Sikuka.
One of the teachers, who spoke on condition of anonymity for ethical reasons, said the human and wildlife conflict was tense to an extent that most of the schools in Jambezi has never recorded a pass rate of above 50 percent.
Bongani Ndlovu