It's back to school once again

It's back to school once again, and before boarding buses to various boarding schools, students today received stern last minute instructions from parents and guardians, who have sacrificed everything to send them to school.

For many students, the opening of the second term marks the onward approach of Ordinary and Advanced level examinations.

Those sitting for the June Ordinary and Advanced level examinations said they have prepared well and are positive of coming up with good results come exam time.

With a number of parents heaving a sigh of relief after having sent off their children to boarding schools, some are hoping that their children will not be sent back home for not having paid all fees and levies required.

The situation has been worsened by the increase in tuition and examination fees.

While parents in rural areas are struggling to raise school fees, the situation is the same for those who live in urban areas, who feel that the government should intervene and regulate operations of schools.

Parents say the government has let them down by increasing examination fees and introducing fees for Grade 7 examinations, adding that the situation will create a bottleneck in the education sector which risks becoming elitist.

Some parents however say they value education of their children and will sacrifice their last cent to get the best.

At a time when parents are pressed with financial challenges, some school development associations are alleged to be extravagant and involved in fraudulent activities.

Zimbabwe is ranked among the best African countries in terms of education, with a literacy rate of 92.4 percent, the highest in Africa.

The challenges in the education sector is to ensure affordability while maintaining quality of education.