The Challenge
The Challenge
For many vulnerable children and young people in Zimbabwe, education remains out of reach due to poverty, rising school-related costs, and household pressures. Fees, uniforms, learning materials and basic necessities continue to prevent children from enrolling, attending consistently and completing school.
In 2024, approximately 1.3 million children were not attending school, while about 40,000 dropped out in 2025 (UNICEF, 2025; EMIS, 2025).
Poverty: The Major Driver
Poverty is a major driver, with an estimated 4.8 million of Zimbabwe's 7.1 million children living in poverty, while nearly 10 million of the country's 17 million people live in poverty (UNICEF, 2025).
Financial hardship, early marriage, teenage pregnancy and child labour further push children out of school, particularly those from vulnerable households.
The Consequences Are Severe
Without second-chance education and timely support, excluded children face increased risks of exploitation, child marriage, substance abuse, unemployment and lifelong poverty.
This not only limits their future opportunities but also undermines Zimbabwe's human capital development and progress towards SDG 4: Quality Education.
If this challenge is not addressed, the number of children excluded from education will continue to grow, limiting Zimbabwe's investment in human capital development and reducing future opportunities for young people to contribute meaningfully to the country's social and economic progress.
