UNICEF and its partners launch an ambitious 70 million U.S. dollar programme to get a textbook into the hands of every school child in Zimbabwe.


HARARE, ZIMBABWE UNICEF - Students at Mutasa Primary school in Zimbabwe's capital are amongst the thousands across the country that have received a boost as the United Nations Children's Agency, UNICEF donated 70 million U.S. dollars to the country's ailing education sector.
The programme is aimed at providing school supplies such as text books, which are lacking in many schools.

Earlier in 2009, Zimbabwe's government ordered all state schools to slash their fees as the country faced a struggle with an economic crisis.

Besides a crumbling infrastructure, mirrored in potholed roads and broken sewers in towns across the country, Zimbabwe's once sound education system has also been wasting away under the downturn.

According to UNICEF, there are 10 pupils for every textbook across Zimbabwe and almost 50 percent of the country's primary school graduates do not go on to secondary school.

"Last year was a lost academic year for most children. Although enrolment rates have risen again this year, there are many signs that quality education is eluding most children," said UNICEF representative in Zimbabwe, Peter Salama.

Within a year, the programme is expected to provide 5,300 primary schools in the country with textbooks.

"In the past two months -- since this plan has been fully formulated -- it has been extremely gratifying to see how the partners have rallied around us," said Salama.

The programme will also extend and pay school fees for vulnerable children.