Zimbabwe’s education system in a deep abyss with little or no learning for the greater part of 2008 seems to have suffered a drain brain of about 30,000 teachers, according to the latest report of a British charity organization, Save the Children.
The agency’s Zimbabwe director, Rachel Pounds says there is danger of a generation in Zimbabwe growing up without proper education.
“A generation is at risk of growing up without any education in Zimbabwe, and that will have catastrophic consequences for the country's recovery," said Pounds.
Save the children says of the teachers left, few attend the classroom as they scratch for survival with their demands for government paying them in United States dollars falling on deaf ears.
According to the report, the attendance rate saw 20 percent of children going to school by the end of 2008, a figure which indicates a serious drop of 85 percent in 2007, with the charity organization warning that the figure might drop further.
In a recent press release when schools opened about two weeks back, Pounds said a decade ago Zimbabwe’s education system used to be rated one of the best in Sub-Saharan Africa but is now in shambles as the melting economic climate continues to affect the sector.
“Less than ten years ago Zimbabwe had the best education system in Sub-Saharan Africa, with nearly every child going to school. Now a majority of children are out of school and the system is in tatters.
“Lack of education may not be life-threatening in the short term, but in the long-term it can kill. Already in Zimbabwe one in ten children die before the age of five. The single biggest factor that affects child mortality is whether mothers are educated,” added Pounds.
Most schools in Zimbabwe now quote fees in foreign currency, with the majority workers still earning in local currency which has since lost worthiness as the country’s inflation continues to be a major challenge for economic survival in this Southern African country.
Parents have of late been arranging to buy groceries for teachers, a move discouraged by teachers’ unions, arguing it is the government‘s responsibility and that they are well remunerated.
