This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-51803825
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Zimbabwe crisis: Parents of school dropouts face jail | Zimbabwe crisis: Parents of school dropouts face jail |
(2 days later) | |
Parents in Zimbabwe could face up to two years in jail if they fail to send their children to school. | Parents in Zimbabwe could face up to two years in jail if they fail to send their children to school. |
The government has made education compulsory up to the age of 16 to stem rising school dropout figures blamed on the poor state of the economy. | The government has made education compulsory up to the age of 16 to stem rising school dropout figures blamed on the poor state of the economy. |
It is estimated that in some parts of the country 20% of children do not go to school. | It is estimated that in some parts of the country 20% of children do not go to school. |
The new law also makes it is an offence to expel children for non-payment of school fees or for becoming pregnant. | The new law also makes it is an offence to expel children for non-payment of school fees or for becoming pregnant. |
Last year at least 60% of the children in primary school were sent home for failing to pay fees, according to the state's Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZimVac). | Last year at least 60% of the children in primary school were sent home for failing to pay fees, according to the state's Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZimVac). |
Zimbabwe's first leader Robert Mugabe, a former teacher who died last year, was praised for the education policies he adopted after independence in 1980. | Zimbabwe's first leader Robert Mugabe, a former teacher who died last year, was praised for the education policies he adopted after independence in 1980. |
The school system he established gave black Zimbabwean greater access to education as hundreds of state schools were opened, leading to Zimbabweans enjoying among the highest literacy rates in Africa. | The school system he established gave black Zimbabwean greater access to education as hundreds of state schools were opened, leading to Zimbabweans enjoying among the highest literacy rates in Africa. |
However, free education ended in the 1990s and in the following decade the education system began to crumble. | However, free education ended in the 1990s and in the following decade the education system began to crumble. |
What has changed? | What has changed? |
The education law has been amended to make sure children in Zimbabwe go to school for a total of 12 years, five years more than was previously prescribed. | The education law has been amended to make sure children in Zimbabwe go to school for a total of 12 years, five years more than was previously prescribed. |
Parents are now also in the firing line if their offspring fail to go to school. | Parents are now also in the firing line if their offspring fail to go to school. |
They face up two years in jail - or a $260 (£200) fine if they can afford to pay it - if their children are found not to be attending classes. | They face up two years in jail - or a $260 (£200) fine if they can afford to pay it - if their children are found not to be attending classes. |
The BBC's Shingai Nyoka in the capital, Harare, says it seems to be a bold attempt to force parents to prioritise education during an economic crisis. | The BBC's Shingai Nyoka in the capital, Harare, says it seems to be a bold attempt to force parents to prioritise education during an economic crisis. |
But some believe the government is shirking its responsibilities amidst broken promises to provide free basic education and a chronic shortage of state schools. | But some believe the government is shirking its responsibilities amidst broken promises to provide free basic education and a chronic shortage of state schools. |
The high drop-out rate has also been blamed on pregnancy, early marriages, the long distances to schools and a lack of interest, our reporter adds. | The high drop-out rate has also been blamed on pregnancy, early marriages, the long distances to schools and a lack of interest, our reporter adds. |
Why are children dropping out? | Why are children dropping out? |
By Shingai Nyoka, BBC News, Harare | By Shingai Nyoka, BBC News, Harare |
Parents have been spending less on education as they struggle to buy food. Fees at government-run schools must be paid up front and range from between $30 (£23) and $700 a year, depending on where they are based. | Parents have been spending less on education as they struggle to buy food. Fees at government-run schools must be paid up front and range from between $30 (£23) and $700 a year, depending on where they are based. |
Last year, parents spent a third what they did in 2018 on education, says ZimVac. | Last year, parents spent a third what they did in 2018 on education, says ZimVac. |
In a sign of the desperate times, makeshift schools in poor areas of the capital, like Epworth, have been sprouting up in homes and backyards. They are unregistered - and therefore illegal. They can work out cheaper - about $3 a month - though their main draw is their flexibility about when the fees are paid. | In a sign of the desperate times, makeshift schools in poor areas of the capital, like Epworth, have been sprouting up in homes and backyards. They are unregistered - and therefore illegal. They can work out cheaper - about $3 a month - though their main draw is their flexibility about when the fees are paid. |
Eunice Maronga, who runs one of these schools, says the children bring in money if and when they can. They are also more flexible about uniforms, though a $3-education has its drawbacks: no desks and one textbook - for the teacher. | Eunice Maronga, who runs one of these schools, says the children bring in money if and when they can. They are also more flexible about uniforms, though a $3-education has its drawbacks: no desks and one textbook - for the teacher. |
"The reason why there is an increase in unregistered schools is because of the shortage of government schools - to the tune of about 2,000 schools," says Liberty Matsive, from the non-governmental organisation Education Coalition of Zimbabwe. | "The reason why there is an increase in unregistered schools is because of the shortage of government schools - to the tune of about 2,000 schools," says Liberty Matsive, from the non-governmental organisation Education Coalition of Zimbabwe. |
Elizabeth Chibanda, whose children are at home after her food-vending business collapsed, says she has sent her eight-year-old daughter back to her home village. | Elizabeth Chibanda, whose children are at home after her food-vending business collapsed, says she has sent her eight-year-old daughter back to her home village. |
"She is doing nothing in the village, but I was ashamed to have a grade-three student sitting around, when it's so obvious to everyone she should be in school." | "She is doing nothing in the village, but I was ashamed to have a grade-three student sitting around, when it's so obvious to everyone she should be in school." |
Ms Chibanda said she was unable to get her son, who is six, into grade one at the start of the school year in January: "With my son, I can pretend he is not of school-going age yet." | Ms Chibanda said she was unable to get her son, who is six, into grade one at the start of the school year in January: "With my son, I can pretend he is not of school-going age yet." |
Why is the economy is such bad shape? | Why is the economy is such bad shape? |
Mr Mugabe was ousted from power in November 2017 with the hope that his army-backed successor and former deputy, Emmerson Mnangagwa, would help revive the economy. | |
But things have gone from bad to worse - and a decade on from the hyperinflation that devastated the economy, Zimbabwe is again facing rampant inflation, frequent shortages of foreign currency, food, fuel, electricity and medicine. | But things have gone from bad to worse - and a decade on from the hyperinflation that devastated the economy, Zimbabwe is again facing rampant inflation, frequent shortages of foreign currency, food, fuel, electricity and medicine. |
The country, which was once a major food producer, is also currently in the middle of a drought. | The country, which was once a major food producer, is also currently in the middle of a drought. |
Last week, the US extended sanctions against Zimbabwe's top leaders, citing their actions to "undermine democratic processes or institutions", persecuting critics and economic mismanagement. | Last week, the US extended sanctions against Zimbabwe's top leaders, citing their actions to "undermine democratic processes or institutions", persecuting critics and economic mismanagement. |
President Mnangagwa has blamed sanctions for crippling development in the country. | President Mnangagwa has blamed sanctions for crippling development in the country. |
But Washington says their economic impact is limited to the farms and companies owned by about 80 of the targeted individuals, who include the president. | But Washington says their economic impact is limited to the farms and companies owned by about 80 of the targeted individuals, who include the president. |
You may also be interested in: | You may also be interested in: |
Previous version
1
Next version