Access. Retention. Completion. Employability.

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 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.

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. Addressing the challenge requires more than returning children to classrooms; it requires holistic support that helps them learn, thrive, develop relevant skills and transition into meaningful futures.

In 2024 alone, approximately 50,000 learners dropped out of school in Zimbabwe. This excludes children who fail to start school by age 7. Poverty remains a major barrier, 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. Financial hardship, early marriage, teenage pregnancy and child labour continue to drive children out of school. Without second chance education, these children face greater risks of exploitation, substance abuse and crime, undermining Zimbabwe’s human capital and progress towards SDG 4: Quality Education

Children from low-income and vulnerable households are the most affected. Without timely support, children who are excluded from education face increased risks of exploitation, child marriage, substance abuse, unemployment, and lifelong poverty.

While Zimbabwe has historically been recognised for its strong education system, growing economic pressures are creating barriers to education access, retention, and completion. Addressing this challenge requires more than getting children into classrooms; it requires holistic support that enables them to learn, thrive, and transition into meaningful futures.