Zimbabwe goes back to School 2023
As the new school year has started in Zimbabwe, let us join hands to ensure all children can enjoy successful learning.
Back to school for all!
A new school year has started in Zimbabwe. Millions of children have now resumed their education. Thanks to our education partners, the United Kingdom, the Global Partnership for Education and Education Cannot Wait to support Zimbabwe’s learners continuously. Through the Global Partnership for Education, many donors, including the European Union and Sweden, support UNICEF education programmes. UNICEF wishes all the children of Zimbabwe a successful school year.
Zimbabwe has a high net enrollment ratio in primary school. Nine out of ten children of primary school age are in school. This figure has remained stable in the last decade. While the country targets universal enrollment of children in primary school, maintaining the current high level of enrolment is already a challenge.
Zimbabwe performs well in net enrollment at the primary school level, but pre-primary schooling remains a challenge. Only six children out of ten aged 3 to 5 are enrolled in pre-primary education. Half of the adolescents in Zimbabwe aged 13 to 19 are outside of school.
Poverty and disabilities are among the main triggers for children in primary school age out of school. Because of poverty, parents lack the resources for school fees, leading to absenteeism. This affects progress in ensuring inclusive education, especially for integrating children with disabilities who are often deprived of their right to education.
Listen to the radio Public Services Announcements Back-to-School of the children of Zimbabwe. These PSAs were produced with the support of StarFM and the Education Coalition of Zimbabwe (ECOZI)
Education Videos
Key Figures
12% of government spending goes to education, below the globally agreed target of 20%
9 out of 10 of primary age children are in school
Only 10% of children with disabilities are in school
Ensuring free education is critical to ensuring access to learning for all children in the country. The Constitution of Zimbabwe requires all practical measures to be taken to promote free and compulsory basic education for children. The Education Amendment Act of 2020 further emphasises that every child shall be entitled to mandatory basic state-funded education. UNICEF commends Zimbabwe for the efforts made to ensure access to free education for all children in the country, but more needs to be done
UNICEF calls upon the Government and partners to turn their commitments into action by increasing budget allocation to education, towards reaching the global target of 20% of the national budget, and investing in education infrastructure, including digital devices and connectivity, learning material, teacher education and motivation, and protection and access for vulnerable children.
Reaching the 20% target is needed to ensure access to quality education for all children in Zimbabwe, including the poorest children and children with disabilities. Today, the Government of Zimbabwe is investing 12% of its expending in education, well below the engagement made at global fora to invest at least 20%.
Public school financing matters for student achievement. A growing body of evidence shows that a high school budget leads to better student outcomes. A well-financed education sector leads to quality learning outcomes, inclusive quality teaching and learning and increased girls’ participation. School financing increases access as it reduces the cost burden on families and hard decisions between survival and sending children to school. Also, parents are more willing to support schools when they see the Government is equally investing in schools.