Schools to open with fewer students as fees and uniform costs skyrocket

By Tererai Karimakwenda
09 January 2006

Schools in Zimbabwe open Tuesday with many students not returning because their families cannot afford the school fees and uniforms. The cost of a complete uniform set that includes a blazer shot up in some cases by up to 300%. In Harare our correspondent Simon Muchemwa made the rounds on Monday as last minute shoppers were hunting for everything from shoes to shirts. He reports that one family whose son was entering form 1 found a complete uniform set that totalled Z$11 million! On Sunday government had announced that school fees were not to be raised by more than 150%. With the rate of inflation as it is the fees are already beyond the reach of many families and fewer students were expected to return to boarding schools.

Muchemwa said some families told him they were going to look for second hand uniforms from children in the neighbourhood. It was impossible to buy new uniforms at these prices and pay school fees as well. This problem is faced mostly by parents with children entering the first grade and those starting form 1.

As for school fees Muchemwa reports that many students were looking to return to local schools as they are cheaper than missionary boarding schools and other private institutions. But the problem there is that local government schools are now highly overcrowded. Muchemwa told us about one 3rd grade classroom that had 65 students. He said the quality of education in these schools is now very poor and the morale of teachers working without proper resources is very low.

Transport has been another source of major frustration for students returning to distant schools. Muchmewa said this year was slightly less hectic because the government had made sure there was fuel put aside for school buses. The situation was also eased by the reduced numbers of students travelling back to school.