UK boosts Zimbabwe's rural education with N7.3bn fund

The United Kingdom's Department of International Development (DFID) has said it will support Zimbabwe's troubled education sector with $37 (about N7.3 billion) million to be channeled through the UNICEF.

According to a statement by the Head of DFID Zimbabwe, Annabel Gerry, the money is to provide quality education at the rural level.

"The funds will allow the progress made under the Education Development Fund (EDF) to continue.

"This includes the School Improvement Grants programme, which will focus on providing quality schooling for children in disadvantaged schools in rural areas," Gerry said.

"This will be delivered through the UK's trusted partner Unicef and activities will be closely aligned to the priorities of Zimbabwe's Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education."

Gerry said the intervention is in line with the UK's "commitment to ensuring access to quality schooling for all children."

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"Through the School Improvements programme, up to 4 million pupils will benefit from improved lessons and teaching, helping to path the way to a bright future for Zimbabwe's young people."

UNICEF Representative, Reza Hossaini, said efforts by DFID and other partners is already yielding fruits in Zimbabwe’s education sector.

Hossaini urged the government to build on the progress by allocating more resources to the sector.

DFID's assistance comes at a time when the Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA) is fighting the Robert Gabriel Mugabe-led government over wage issues.