Cost of education not sensible
AS THE economic reality continues to shape people’s lives in Zimbabwe, it continues to drive education farther away from the ordinary man and woman.
Many Zimbabweans will rush to the modern cliché, ‘If you think education is cheap, try ignorance.’ But even those who know and understand that learning is costly are becoming more and more disillusioned by the day.
At this stage of the year many parents and guardians are already paying school fees and buying uniforms for their children. They will all tell you how they every day feel they no longer afford the cost of this right to their education.
The average secondary and high school has increased fees by several hundred dollars, let alone those who have dared the Government and continue to demand US dollars. Almost all schools are charging very close to a thousand dollars (bond) and live in the mischievous comfort of not charging US dollars. The more daring ones have pegged fees several hundred above the thousand. And you do not pay fees and give a sigh of relief. The child needs uniform, books, toiletries and much more depending on the school. The total cost of these items leaves the paying parent or guardian at sixes and sevens.
The days of joy and excitement when schools open in a new year are long gone. 2019 has already started showing unfriendly teeth, not only to the ordinary parent or guardian, but even those, who under normal circumstances would afford.
Do we blame the school that charges unaffordable fees? Do we blame the shop that has hiked the costs of books and uniform? Or is it a vicious cycle of one area of life having a hard knock-on effect on the other? But one thing for certain is you cannot rule out an element of profiteering.
Whatever the reason, for everyone is entitled to interpret the situation within their range of understanding economics, no amount of talking will cook the rice. Some will see the problem as a political one and suggest solutions that resonate warmly with their whim of reason and perception. No amount of talking will make education cheaper or affordable.
Education is not a luxury at all. It is a right for learners and an investment for parents. Yet, if you have nothing to invest, no investment ever brings answers to one’s life.
It is not only food, clothes, travel and medical costs that have gone up. Education which all wise people know is the tool with which poor people use to drive ignorance and poverty away, has also suddenly become unaffordable. When this right, this tool of development and survival, becomes unattainable, or unaffordable that is disaster for a people.
This is a genuine and honest Save-our Souls appeal. An appeal for something to be done and done soon. Our Government and leaders are aware of this problem. We have all the trust in them, for we have no other, that they will address the issue of the cost of education as a matter of urgency, for if left for too long, it will annihilate another generation of children.
All we can do is to continue to look forward and say one day soon education will once again be affordable for every average Zimbabwean.
Meanwhile those who have afforded to send their children to schools, make sure you enjoy value for the money. We appeal to teachers to teach diligently and seriously. Learners should not waste time at school leading others astray or nowhere. You should be worried about 365 days every year of reading and learning to pass. Drugs, Mbanje and unwanted pregnancies will never make us enjoy our right to be at school, which our parents and government are doing their best to give. We remain optimistic and belief the sun will rise again tomorrow!