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Collen Takaza

University of Zimbabwe

A significant number of young people are leaving school without progressing to tertiary institutions due to a myriad of reasons.

For others, it is the lack of financial muscle to foot the educational cost at a higher level.

There are also those who have no desire to pursue academic studies after completing their secondary education, whether  Ordinary level or Advanced level.

Several young people also find the going tough as they struggle to keep pace with the classroom demands – most of them stopping soon after completing the Ordinary level.

A school-leaver is one who has left school usually after completing a course of study instead of continuing on to college or university.

This writer spoke to several school-leavers in Glen Norah and Highfield to understand how they are navigating these trying times.

Evidence from discussions and interviews reveal that most school-leavers are facing a plethora of challenges induced and worsened by the current socio-economic situation.

Many are failing to get formal jobs as there is scarcity of such jobs on the market and in cases where such opportunities arise, most of them do not meet the required skills and qualifications.

Other school leavers suggested that as a result of joblessness and failure to further their education, society treats them with disdain and considers them a directionless generation.

“It’s hard to be at home with my family after leaving school and without a job. They treat me as someone who is not productive.

“I am considering eloping to my boyfriend because I am failing to bear the verbal venom from my family,” says one former student who completed her Ordinary level in 2018.

Her situation is no different from that of other school-leavers.

Some alleged that whenever money goes missing at home or something is stolen, the accusations quickly point to them.

Despite these challenges and ill-treatment some of the school-leavers have been brave enough to find something to occupy themselves.

Some of them have actually become breadwinners in their families, courtesy of their enterprising spirit.

A remarkable number of secondary school-leavers are engaged in income-generating activities which include vending, car-washing, working as bus conductors — hwindis — assistant builders or carpenters and welders.

Female school leavers have found work as housemaids, baby sitters, shopkeepers, flea-market workers or as vendors.

It is also not uncommon to see youths who ply their trade as money changers at street corners and shopping centres in the high-density or the avenues areas.

One male school-leaver noted that what was important for him was to have something to put in his pocket and to help his family.

“I finished Advanced level in 2017 and came here, attracted by the ‘bright lights’ but could not land a job. I work as a kombi conductor and although the economy is still on the mend I cannot complain since I can pay my rentals and manage to assist my parents back home,” he says.

Another youth who left school in 2016 was quick to point out that for one to make it in life there is need to be bold and enterprising.

He survives by selling fruits and vegetables within Glen Norah.

Some of the youths have also ventured into farming – tobacco and maize farming – in their rural areas or at their parents’ plots, given to them during the government’s land reform programme.

A few others are trying to cut their teeth in the arts industry, particularly music and acting.

Over weekends, some of the young men meet for social soccer whilst most of their counterparts at colleges and universities will most likely be immersed in books.

Whilst many have chosen an acceptable way to eke out their living, some especially females have chosen the riskier activities.

A number have already become single mothers after being dumped by their boyfriends once they fell pregnant.

Given the challenges that school-leavers continue to face the Government through the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts, and Recreation should consider engaging them for life-changing projects.

The ministry should also prioritize availing information and guidance especially to school-leavers on self-reliance routes to take.