Deportations threaten schooling for thousands of Zimbabwean pupils

The Zimbabwe exemption permit coordinating committee has appealed to the South African and Zimbabwean governments to address a looming education crisis. This crisis affects thousands of Zimbabwean children whose families are being deported or are leaving South Africa. Edward Muchatuta, the organization's national coordinator, stated that children across several school grades risk losing years of education as they relocate to Zimbabwe and face difficulties transitioning into its education system. Grade 12 pupils, who have spent their entire schooling in South Africa and are preparing for the National Senior Certificate examinations, are particularly vulnerable. Pupils in Grades 10 and 11, who have followed South Africa's curriculum for over a decade, would struggle to adapt to Zimbabwe's system, potentially delaying their schooling by several years. Primary school pupils also face obstacles, with many unable to register for Grade 7 national examinations in Zimbabwe due to early registration closures. Most affected families are from low-income households, making it harder to support their children's education upon returning to Zimbabwe. The organization proposes emergency arrangements for affected pupils to continue the South African curriculum while in Zimbabwe, and the establishment of joint examination centers in Beitbridge and the Musina Repatriation Centre for matric pupils. Qualified teachers among returning Zimbabweans are willing to volunteer academic support if a frame