Returnee Zimbaweans’ children have place in local ...

Returnee Zimbaweans’ children have place in local education system

Taungana Ndoro

Zim Now Writer

Primary and Secondary Education Director of Communications and Advocacy, Taungana Ndoro, has said that children of returnees from South Africa will be accommodated in the local school system as has always been the case.

His statement comes at a time when thousands of Zimbabweans based in SA are expected to return home following expiry of their exemption permits in June this year. It is estimated that there are 170 000 holders of such documents.

“Our sector has always been absorbing learners from different countries who are in various grades. These learners could be coming from African countries or any other country around the world.

“Remember, one of our mandates is to provide access to all learners — be it formal or non-formal education. As such, we have systems in place in our sector to assess the level of learners from other countries so that we place them in appropriate levels or grades,” said Ndoro.

He said the same exercise has been going on for a long time, therefore the affected children from South Africa are most welcome to the Zimbabwean education sector.

“We would like to assure parents, especially those who could be coming back home following the expiry of ZEP, that their children are most welcome to the sector and the ministry will do everything it can to accommodate all the affected learners,” added Ndoro.