Source: Rights groups want primary education for all – DailyNews Live
29 December 2017
HARARE – Civil Society Organisations and rights groups have piled pressure
on the Primary and Secondary Education ministry to ensure that every child
attends primary school in 2018.This comes as only 415 900 children are supported by Basic Education
Assistance Module (Beam) against a demand of more than 1 million children.“We highlight the Constitution which, in section 75(a), stipulates that
the State must take all practical measures to promote a basic State-funded
and compulsory education for children. The State is also expected to take
reasonable legislation and other measures, within the limits of the
resources available to it, to achieve the progressive realisation of the
right set out.“We, however, note that it remains a fundamental and un-negotiated right
for all these children who are out of school to be given a chance at
education, just like those who are within the schools are protected by
existing policies.“The State has left this responsibility to the evidently struggling
parents and guardians who constitute the majority of the unemployed
population in Zimbabwe. As a result, many children are not enrolled in
school,” read part of the petition seen by the Daily News.Tag a Life International executive director Nyaradzo Mashayamombe said
investing in education was important in curbing the cycle of poverty and
under-development.She said failure to attend to this important cause was likely to result a
whole generation of uneducated people owing to the deterioration of the
education system and the commodification of education for all.“The high rates of child marriages, child labour, trans-generational
poverty and the current numbers of failure of enrolment of many living
below the poverty line are those failing to stay in school.“All primary children should be enrolled in school beginning of January
regardless of financial capabilities, disabilities, sex, race, and that
all children must be able to access primary education without
discrimination,” she said.According to Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa, 50 percent of children in
districts surveyed by the Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee
(Zimvac) 2017 Rural Livelihoods Assessment Report were not attending
school due to financial constraints, with the national non-attendance
standing at 34 percent.“According to the ministry of Labour and Social Services, Beam is funding
school fees and examination fees for around 415 900 vulnerable children,
against an estimated 1 045 480 in need of educational support.“Government availed $1,5 million in 2017 towards payment of examination
fees for 18 021 vulnerable children.“This programme will be enhanced in the 2018 budget, with resources
amounting to $20 million being set aside to support the Beam programme,”
Chinamasa said.
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