TINOTENDA MHUKAYESANGO*
In a heartrending incident in Zimbabwe, a 9-year-old child tragically lost his life after being sent home from school over unpaid fees. This tragic incident highlights not only the inherent dangers of economic disparities in education systems but also underscores the critical need for urgent reform to ensure that children's right to education is upheld at all costs. As the international community commemorates International Day of Education (24 January, 2025) and grapples with the challenges of providing quality education for all, this case serves as a painful reminder of the consequences when access to education is restricted by financial constraints.
 |
| Image: Shutterstock |
Zimbabwe, like many developing countries, has been struggling with economic hardships that have made it increasingly difficult for families to pay for education. School fees, even at public institutions, are often an insurmountable obstacle for many children, especially in rural areas where poverty is widespread. This case is a stark reminder that education should not be a privilege for the few, but a right for all, and that the financial burden of schooling should not cost a child's life.
The right to education
The right to education is enshrined in section 75 1 a) and b) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, and it provides that ‘Every citizen and permanent resident of Zimbabwe has a right to a basic state-funded education including adult basic education and further education, which the State through reasonable legislative and other measures must make progressively available and accessible.’
Also several international agreements – most notably the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) – make this point clear. Article 26 of the UDHR emphasizes the right to education, stating that "everyone has the right to education."
The CRC, to which Zimbabwe is a signatory, explicitly upholds the child's right to free and compulsory primary education (Article 28). These instruments make it clear that education must be accessible, available, and acceptable to all children, regardless of their economic background.
Despite these commitments, many children worldwide, particularly in developing countries like Zimbabwe, still face massive hurdles to education. The combination of poverty, inadequate school infrastructure, and unaffordable fees often leaves children vulnerable to exclusion.
In this context, the case of Junior Lunga, a boy from Rutavo Village, Mwenenzi from Matando Primary school, highlights the devastating consequences of failing to uphold these rights.
The impact of school fees on education in Zimbabwe
In Zimbabwe, the government has made efforts to make education accessible to all children. Primary education is supposed to be free, but in reality, schools often charge additional fees for infrastructure, materials, and extracurricular activities. These hidden costs can be prohibitive for families struggling to make ends meet. For many, especially in rural or marginalized communities, this financial burden means that children are often sent home, excluded from learning, and deprived of opportunities for a better future.
In this particular case, it is clear that the school’s decision to send Junior Lunga home over unpaid fees contributed to his tragic fate. Schools should have mechanisms in place to ensure that no child is excluded from education due to their family's inability to pay fees. Furthermore, the state must play an active role in monitoring and regulating educational institutions to prevent practices that discriminate against impoverished students.
This incident is a wake-up call for both the government of Zimbabwe and the international community. It is crucial to address the systemic issues surrounding the affordability of education, especially in regions where poverty rates are high. Local communities and civil society organizations must advocate for free education, better access to schooling, and stricter enforcement of laws that prohibit the exclusion of children from school due to financial constraints.
Governments, especially in developing countries, must ensure that public education systems are adequately funded to meet the needs of all children. Financial constraints should never be allowed to rob a child of their future. Moreover, there needs to be increased awareness of the long-term social and economic benefits of investing in education.
Conclusion - A tragic reminder of the stakes
Junior Lunga death serves as a tragic reminder of the urgency of ensuring that the right to education is respected and protected, particularly for the most vulnerable children. Every child, regardless of their socioeconomic status, deserves the opportunity to learn and grow in an environment that nurtures their potential.
It is up to the government, schools, and communities to work together to ensure that no child is ever turned away from the education they are entitled to and that no child’s life is ever lost due to the failure to provide it.
This case should galvanize action at all levels to end the discrimination that occurs due to school fees and guarantee that education remains a universal right for all children, irrespective of their family’s financial circumstances.
Only through collective effort can we ensure that the promise of education becomes a reality for every child in Zimbabwe, and beyond.
*Tinotenda Mhukayesango is a post-grad law student.
.jpg)
0 Comments