Students Struggle, O’level Results Highlight Need For Academic Support

Zimbabwe’s education system, once hailed as one of the best in Africa, has been facing numerous challenges in recent years. The country’s socio-economic issues have had a devastating impact on the education sector, affecting not only the quality of education but also the performance of students in critical exams like the O-levels.

One of the major challenges facing the Country’s education system is underfunding. The government’s allocation to the education sector has been consistently low, leading to a shortage of resources, including textbooks, furniture, and technology. This has resulted in a lack of access to quality education, particularly in rural areas.

Teacher shortages and strikes have also become a common phenomenon. Teachers are often underpaid and overworked, leading to demotivation and a lack of commitment to their work. This has resulted in a high turnover rate, with many teachers leaving the profession or emigrating to other countries in search of better opportunities.

Many schools, especially in rural areas, are in a state of disrepair, with dilapidated buildings, lack of electricity, and inadequate sanitation facilities. This makes it difficult for students to learn in a conducive environment.

The curriculum has also contributed, and criticized for being foreign and unpalatable and not aligned with industry needs. This has resulted in students cheating and paying for their school projects, resulting in having a poor educate child.

Socio-economic issues have also had a profound impact on education. Poverty and hunger have led to many students dropping out of school or performing poorly in exams. Child labor and early marriages have also become common, where children are forced to work to support their families or get married at a young age.

According to the Ministry report, there is a sharp increase in school dropouts for the year 2023 than the previous year 2022 and this was exacerbated by the current economic environment.

HIV/AIDS and drugs now affecting the country due to exclusion, with many students and teachers living with the disease or affected by it. Political instability created a hostile learning environment, with many schools especially in Matebeleland poorly performing and students dropping out to cross out of the country, South Africa where majority of them are working while others are committing serious crimes.

The impact of these challenges on O-level results has been significant. Pass rates have been consistently low, with many students failing critical subjects like math and science. Disparities in performance between urban and rural schools have also been noted, with urban schools generally performing better.

Despite the government’s efforts to ensure safety nets for all citizens amid economic challenges, some schools are still turning away students from classes. The reason? The presence of June exam writers, who the government blames for the recent decline in academic performance.

This exclusionary practice has raised concerns about the government’s commitment to inclusive education, particularly for vulnerable students. By denying them access to classes, these schools are not only jeopardizing their academic progress but also their future prospects.

The government’s focus on blaming June exam writers for poor results has diverted attention from the systemic issues plaguing the education sector. Instead of addressing the root causes of underperformance, such as inadequate resources, poor infrastructure, and insufficient teacher training, the government is scapegoating a group of students.

This approach is not only unfair but also counterproductive. It is essential for the government to rethink its strategy and work towards creating a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students, regardless of their background or circumstances.

After being turned away from school, many children are left with limited options and are turning to harmful alternatives. Without access to education, they are increasingly engaging in risky behaviors such as drug use and early sexual activity.

This downward spiral can have devastating consequences, including failure, denied the opportunity to learn and grow, these children are likely to struggle with poverty and unemployment.

HIV and other STIs, engaging in unprotected sex puts the kids at risk of contracting life-threatening diseases leading to unwanted pregnancies through early sexual activity this can lead to unplanned pregnancies, further limiting their future prospects.

The country has taken a stance, to fight drug abuse, drug addiction, Experimenting with drugs can quickly lead to dependence, ruining our health and potential, causing mental health illnesses. The trauma and stress of being excluded from school can lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems.

However, the government has also taken note of another challenge facing the education sector: parents’ unwillingness to pay school fees. Despite efforts to make education accessible, some parents are failing to fulfill their financial obligations, exacerbating the crisis.

This trend has significant implications for schools, which rely on fee payments to operate and provide quality education