Corruption in Zimbabwe schools fuelling teen pregnancies, suicides

Manyange village in Murehwa has been plunged into mourning following the death of 21-year-old Jaidzo Mahuni, in a tragedy that has ignited debate over systemic failures in Zimbabwe's rural education system.

Mahuni, who had recently sat for her Ordinary Level examinations at Magaya Secondary School, was found dead after allegedly taking her own life. According to her stepsister, Sandra Chikava, the young woman had fallen pregnant for a second time and the man responsible refused to take responsibility.

"We found her hanging from a tree. She committed suicide because she had been impregnated for the second time and the man refused to take responsibility," Chikava said.

"This shattered the dreams of a young woman who had the potential to become a teacher, nurse or civil servant."

Mahuni had obtained three Cs in her examinations, with family members insisting she was capable of achieving more under better learning conditions.

Her death has brought renewed scrutiny on conditions at Magaya Secondary School, where School Development Committee chairperson Luckmore Chingara cited widespread teacher absenteeism as a major concern.

"I knew Mahuni. She was a very dedicated girl who travelled more than 10 kilometres every day to school," he said.

"We buried her because the system did not allow her to reach her potential. If teachers were doing their job properly, I believe she would not have fallen pregnant and might still be alive today."

Community members allege that some teachers prioritise paid extra lessons over regular classes, charging about US$1 per pupil during weekends and after school hours  -  a cost many rural families cannot afford.

Letwin Nyika, a 73-year-old grandmother, said the system disadvantages poorer students.

"Many of us cannot afford that money. The teachers do not repeat the lessons during normal classes," she said.

Students who miss the paid sessions often struggle to keep up, compounding already difficult learning conditions marked by long walking distances and fatigue.

Tariro Manhanga described waking at 4am daily to complete household chores before walking nearly 11 kilometres to school, only to find limited teaching taking place.

"By the time I arrive at school I am already tired and sleepy," she said.

Parents say some teachers miss lessons to run side businesses due to low salaries, while others selectively teach classes they consider more promising.

Chamunorwa Manhanga acknowledged the pressures faced by educators.

"Teachers are forced to run flea markets and tuckshops to survive because their salaries are too low," he said.

However, tensions have emerged between the community and school authorities. Chingara said attempts to question absenteeism were rebuffed.

"They said my role is to focus on development, not to supervise teachers," he said.

Magaya Secondary School headmaster Tendayi Zindonda attributed challenges to late-coming students, unpaid fees and shortages of basic materials such as chalk and textbooks.

But community leaders dispute this, alleging that available resources are being diverted toward non-academic activities.

The crisis has drawn attention from the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, whose president Obert Masaraure blamed poor wages and working conditions for the decline in teaching standards.

"The corruption that is pushing children into early graves, drug addiction and early marriages is a product of the same system that should be providing solutions," he said.

Authorities have previously attempted to address the issue. In 2023, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission was tasked with investigating illegal extra lesson fees.

Meanwhile, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerai Moyo has warned that poor academic performance, particularly in rural schools, will not be tolerated, citing cases of zero percent pass rates in some districts.

For families in Manyange, Mahuni's death is a painful reminder of the stakes.

A young life, once filled with promise, has been lost - leaving a community grappling with grief and difficult questions about inequality, accountability and the future of rural education in Zimbabwe.