2010-02-01
No School Today - Education in crisis in Zimbabwe
In February 2009 Unicef released data revealing that 94% of schools in rural Zimbabwe remain closed. One year on the situation remains bleak.
Zimbabwe's education crisis is on every level. The poverty that grips the nation has resulted in a marked depletion of teachers in schools and a plummeting school attendance rate from over 80% to less than 20% across the country. Learning has become a privilege for the few who can afford to pay the school fees and levies required for attendance by all schools in Zimbabwe. Fees are normally around USD$15 per term for a child of primary school age, though in rural areas they can be as little as USD$2.
Coupled with the struggle for most to afford school fees, constant strikes and school closures are also hampering learning. In response to the economic crisis, teachers and other civil servants in Zimbabwe began an indefinite national strike in February in protest of meagre salaries of around USD$160 per month. An absence of basic school equpment required for learning is also proving a constant difficulty, with the shortage of learning materials in the country resulting in an average of 17 students per text book.
In response to this crisis ZBF has launched an Emergency Education Appeal. ZBF has set up a school fee programme whereby donations are provided to cover the cost of children who would otherwise be unable to attend school. If you would like to know more about this appeal or support it please contact ZBF on 020 7637 1527 or on zbf@zbf.org.uk. To make a donation please follow the links on our website or visit our just giving page.
|
