Matabeleland school pupils returned to school amidst parental challenges and concerns over new curriculum.

Today, schools in Matabeleland opened their doors to welcome back students for the new term. Boarding school pupils returned to school on the 12th and 13th of January, and now day scholars are joining them, marking the beginning of the new school term.

Parents whose children were boarding at City Hall, Renkini, and Mahamara in Bulawayo expressed their frustrations with the difficulties they faced in preparing their children for the new term. Many cited financial constraints and shortages of essential school supplies as some of the major hurdles they had to overcome.

“We had to scramble to get everything ready for my child’s return to school,” said one parent.

“The prices of school supplies have gone up, and it was a struggle to afford everything on the list.”

However, amidst the challenges, there was a sense of excitement and anticipation as the new school term marks the introduction of the new Heritage-Based Curriculum. The new curriculum aims to promote practical skills and critical thinking, and parents are eager to see how it will benefit their children.

In the lead-up to the new term, school uniform and stationery shops in Bulawayo were bustling with activity as parents rushed to purchase essential items for their children.

As schools opened today, children in Bulawayo showed excitement as they returned to their schools. Particularly, students at Greenfield Primary, Montrose High School, and Founders were beaming with enthusiasm as they reunited with their friends and teachers.

Despite the challenges, parents and pupils alike are looking forward to a successful and productive year. As one parent put it, “It’s a new season, and we’re excited to see how the new curriculum will shape our children’s future.”

However, in rural areas surrounding Matabeleland, the situation may be different. With the ongoing rain, there are fears that schools may face flooding, and students may be forced to cross flooded rivers to get to school. This poses a significant risk to the safety of students, and parents are calling on the government to take immediate action to address the situation.

In a related development, there have been calls from some parents and teachers to consider using the South African Rand as a payment option for school fees instead of the US Dollar, citing the challenges of accessing foreign currency. This proposal is aimed at alleviating the financial burden on parents and making education more accessible.

[Image credit: ZTN]