Govt blames apathy and belief that life is better in South Africa for poor results in Mat South

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education says poverty, hunger, long distances to school and a lack of interest in education are among the reasons for low pass rates in Matabeleland South.

The province recorded a Grade Seven pass rate of about 35 per cent in 2025. The Ordinary Level pass rate was also 35 per cent.

In the same Grade Seven exams, 11 primary schools in four districts – Insiza, Bulilima, Gwanda and Matobo – recorded a zero per cent pass rate.

The ministry said the problem goes beyond teacher performance and needs a joint effort by schools, communities and government.

Director of communications and advocacy Taungana Ndoro said the ministry was aware of the challenges and was working to understand what is driving poor results in the province.

“Some teachers may cause the underperformance of our pupils, but it’s multifaceted and a cocktail of issues that will probably need to be addressed,” he said.

He said financial pressures on families, community problems, low morale and apathy towards schooling were all affecting learners.

Ndoro said some children walk long distances to school and arrive hungry, which makes it harder for them to learn.

“You have some children who come from poor backgrounds, and they may be walking long distances to school. Some of them may even be arriving at school when they are hungry,” he said.

He said the ministry has introduced the Homegrown School Feeding Programme to provide meals at school, which helps encourage attendance and helps pupils benefit more from lessons.

The ministry has also carried out research to identify the districts with the lowest pass rates, with rural areas facing the biggest challenges.

Ndoro said attitudes towards education are another concern, particularly in communities close to the borders with Botswana and South Africa, where some families believe life is better across the border.

“We also look at issues to do with the fallacy that life is better in South Africa or that life is better in Botswana,” he said.

“So we have got a massive publicity drive to tell our children and our pupils, including parents in the community, that with a good education, life is always better in Zimbabwe and life can even be better in Botswana or in South Africa when you do have a sound education.”

More: CITE

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