SCHOOLS across the country reopen Tuesday, amid an economic meltdown characterised by an underperforming local currency.
Monday, parents gathered at Robert Mugabe Square in Harare to see off boarding school students heading to various learning institutions for the start of the first term.
Emotions and excitement filled the air as Form One students embarked on a new academic journey.
However, many parents could not share in the excitement as they were burdened by the deteriorating economy while preparing to send their children to boarding schools and had to make tough sacrifices.
Precious Chitemere who spoke to NewZimbabwe.com bemoaned the poor economic environment for hampering back-to-school preparations.
“I have to be honest with you, for some of us who have form one students, it was challenging. Firstly money was not circulating as it should, making it difficult to have proper preparations for the children,” said Chitemere.
Harare was a hive of activity Monday as parents made last-minute preparations for the reopening of schools.
Stationery and uniform shops were abuzz with parents making a beeline, and some taking advantage to make a killing by hiking the prices of school necessities.
With big supermarkets short on some goods, many resorted to informal shops in the downtown Harare Central Business Districts to purchase vital school materials.
The financial strain on some was exacerbated by the just-ended festive season which hit hard the pockets of many.
One parent identified as Chirisamhuru said the reopening of schools has left him breathing through the wound.
“Preparations were not easy. It started during the festive period when we also spent the little that we had. We have sacrificed for my children with one in form six and another one in form two. Essentials were a bit expensive but we did not have an option but to purchase,” said Chisiyamhuru.
As the new year begins, Zimbabwe’s economy continues to tank, picking up where it left in 2024.
At the heart of the meltdown is the underperforming local currency, Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG), which was introduced nine months ago in an attempt to stabilise the faltering economy.
However, ZiG has continued to lose value against the United States dollar with many preferring to transact in the US dollar.
Schools have not been immune to the economic pressures, as many now demand tuition fees in US dollars.
Chirisamhuru said the shunning of ZiG by many shops left many, like him, who earn in the local currency in a dilemma.
“We had to reach an agreement with the school to allow kids to go to school after paying a part of the fees and then pay the remaining later. I do not even know ZiG. It is scarce I do not know why maybe it is circulating at RBZ and we are working with what is being demanded,” he said.
