School Hours Cut As 6000 Pupils Drop Out Of Matebeleland Schools Due To Hunger

OVER 6 000 pupils in the Matabeleland region has dropped out of school due to hunger.

Education authorities in the region have cut learning hours as a significant number of pupils come to class hungry, hence low concentration levels.

Matabeleland North and South, and Midlands provinces are the most food insecure provinces in the country.

According to statistics provided by education offices in Matabeleland North and South, drought has led to a sharp increase in school drop outs and absenteeism at both primary and secondary level.

Matabeleland North provincial education director Mrs Boithatelo Mnguni said hunger was becoming a huge scourge among  learners.

“I can confirm that things are not good in the province due to hunger, while drop outs can be due to various reasons. We have had a sharp increase of absenteeism during the first and second term attributed to the hunger scourge. Our figures to date state that from the first to the second term we have had 2 758 drop outs at primary school level; that is from Grade Three to Seven. For the Early Childhood Development (ECD) special needs classes we have had 18 drop outs, while for the general ECD classes we have had over 1 000 drop outs,” said Mrs Mnguni. Nkayi is the most affected in the province.

“Other districts that have been grossly affected are Bubi and Umguza. I tell you that the situation is so pathetic such that when we had to instruct our teachers to check the learners’ lunch boxes; what was discovered was so sad.

“At Fatima Primary School, for example, some pupils came with only isitshwala without any relish. In some cases they just had plain rice”.

In Matabeleland South, a total of 2 825 pupils from both primary and secondary schools have dropped out of school this term due to the effects of drought. Education officer (planning) Mr Rhodes Ndlovu said the hardest hit districts were Matobo and Beitbridge.

“A total of 1 253 pupils from primary schools in the province dropped out of school this term while 1 572 also dropped out from  secondary schools. Matobo recorded 654 drop outs, Beitbridge 634, Mangwe 582, Insiza 509, Gwanda 297, Umzingwane 92 and Bulilima 57,” said the Mr Ndlovu.

“You will realise that in all cases, the problem is caused by the effects of drought and once children drop out of school, they either cross the border into neighbouring countries like South Africa and Botswana or resort to gold mining,” he said.

Most of the affected girls were mainly from  child headed families who depend on hand outs from well-wishers and low income earners, added Mr Ndlovu.Source- Sunday News
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