Online Reporter
Mkhululi Ncube, [email protected]
MORE than 1,5 million learners in schools across the country have been identified as orphaned and vulnerable children (OVCs), with Bulawayo Province recording the lowest number, according to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education’s 2024 annual schools census.
The comprehensive report, compiled through the Education Management Information System (EMIS), categorises OVCs into four groups: double orphans (those who have lost both parents), single orphans (maternal or paternal), and vulnerable children who are not orphaned but face significant socio-economic hardships.
The census provides valuable data to guide policy formulation, planning and targeted interventions by Government agencies and development partners.
At the Early Childhood Development (ECD) level, there are 119 704 OVCs enrolled in schools, comprising 60 651 boys and 59 053 girls.
At the primary school level, 651 961 pupils are categorised as OVCs, comprising 325 891 boys and 326 070 girls.
At secondary school level, 284 285 pupils fall into the OVC category, with 136 078 boys and 148 207 girls.
Manicaland Province has the highest number of OVCs at all levels. At ECD, the province has 21 979 OVC learners, followed closely by Masvingo with 19 410. In contrast, Bulawayo has the smallest number, with just 2 632 OVCs at the ECD level.
In terms of the proportion of ECD learners who are OVCs, Manicaland leads with 21,32 percent, followed by Masvingo at 20,93 percent. Harare has the lowest percentage, with only 7,1 percent of its ECD learners classified as OVCs.
The ministry notes gender parity across provinces at the ECD level, except in Harare, where more females are recorded, and Mashonaland East, where males are in the majority.
For primary schools, Manicaland again tops the list with 108 688 OVCs, trailed by Masvingo with 95 640. Bulawayo has the lowest number at this level, with 20 572.
“In terms of proportion, Matabeleland South leads with 26,77 percent of its primary pupils being OVCs, followed closely by Matabeleland North with 26,25 percent.
“Harare has the lowest proportion, with only 9,67 percent of its primary pupils being OVCs,” read the report.
At the secondary school level, Manicaland is again leading with 48 717 OVCs, followed by Masvingo with 39 823. Bulawayo remains at the bottom, with 13 768 OVCs.
Matabeleland North, however, recorded the highest proportion of OVCs in secondary schools at 30,98 percent, followed by Mashonaland West at 27,73 percent. Harare again has the lowest proportion at 14,82 percent.
To support vulnerable learners and promote access to education, the Government, through the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM), continues to provide financial support.
“In 2024, BEAM supported 62 849 ECD pupils, 695 696 primary pupils and 306 542 secondary pupils with tuition and other education-related costs,” the report noted.
Last year, over one million pupils benefited from the BEAM programme, which is funded through Government and donor support to ensure that no child is left behind due to financial hardships.
The OVC population in Zimbabwe remains a key demographic of concern, especially in rural and economically disadvantaged areas.
The high numbers reflect the long-standing impact of HIV/Aids and poverty, which has placed added pressure on families and school systems.
The ministry’s data is expected to assist in the strategic allocation of resources, ensuring that provinces with higher OVC burdens receive adequate support through social protection, school feeding schemes, and psychosocial services.
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