Over 200 learners dropped out of school in Matobo district in the last term due to various challenges.
This was revealed by Matobo District Development Co-ordinator (DDC) Obey Chaputsira during a recent Matobo Rural District Council full council meeting.
“There is an issue which I wish to raise to the council, the issue of school dropouts, last term I had a meeting with the District Schools Inspector and I was informed, last term alone we had 204 children dropping out of school,” said Chaputsira.
He said these are worrying statistics and urged councillors to encourage parents not to keep children at home.
“What it means is we have technically closed about three schools in the district because we have lost 204, so it’s a worrying statistic, we might take it very lightly but it’s a worrying subject.
“I want to kindly assign you as councillors, in your meetings please talk to villagers not to keep children at home,” said Chaputsira.
He added that the government has the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) which assists to pay for learners.
“We have other Non- Governmental Organisations (NGOs) which are willing to pay for children, so let us not allow children to drop out from school, that is where we will have an influx of people from other regions coming in,” said Chaputsira.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer, Elvis Sibanda said some schools in the district suffered damage due to weather conditions.
“The month of April has witnessed some schools and homesteads being affected by strong winds in ward 4. Mashumba primary school and Ratanyane primary school had some classroom blocks roofs blown off by wind,” said Sibanda
“The learning environment will be greatly affected if these classroom blocks are not attended to, when schools open.”
He however said the disaster committee visited the affected schools in a bid to assess the damage on the property.
