Facts on Dropouts in Zimbabwe
Let us take a look at some facts on Dropouts in Zimbabwe.
Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM)
Although, through Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM), the government was able to send 9 lakh students to school with the help of donors, it marked the reduction in funding from $73 million to $ 15 million. This reduction in funding put many children at risk of dropping out from the school. This programme was a success but it failed in 2012 and in the subsequent year.
High Dropouts in Hunger-Hit Regions
The number of dropouts in hunger-hit regions in Zimbabwe is increasing. In one of the provinces of Zimbabwe, around 6000 students dropped out of school as either they did not had food to eat or they had to support their families by working on farms or by doing household chores. Flash floods, erratic rainfall and dry weather for a long period of time have led to the depletion of food supply.
Dropouts Due to Inability to Pay Fees
Most of the children in Zimbabwe dropout from the schools as their parents are unable to pay their school fees. As per the statistics provided by Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education in Zimbabwe, in 2013 more than 1300 students from primary and secondary schools dropped out of the school either due to non-payment of school fees or due to early marriages.
Drastic Increase in the Dropout Rate
There was a drastic increase in the rate of dropouts in Zimbabwe within a year’s time. In 2012 the rate at which primary school children dropped out of the school was 23% which increase to 43% in the year 2013.
Higher Rate of Female Dropouts from Secondary School
The number of female students dropping out from the schools in Zimbabwe is higher as compared to male students. Amongst the secondary school dropouts 52% of students were females. Out of the 2784 students which dropped out the primary school as they were not able to pay the schools fees, 1646 were females and 1138 were females.
