Unveiling the Challenges Militating Against the Boy Child’s Education During Times of Socio-Political and Economic Disintegration

Abstract

The world over, there has been a crusade to cushion the growth, education, and transition of the girl child throughout their educational and social life, which is noble and commendable. However, the boy child also has their own challenges, which go unnoticed, or get taken for granted. The current qualitative case study departs from the enshrined norm and focuses on the issues bedeviling the boy child in their education during turbulent times. The turbulence were induced by the Fast Track Land Reform Programme of February 20000 in Zimbabwe, which has caused the collapse of the economy, affecting all sectors, schools, and the boy child included. Two primary and two secondary schools in the Marondera Education District were sampled, using sixteen teachers and four school heads. The following questions guided the study: What factors affect the boy child's education during turbulence? How are the issues affecting the boy child in their education being addressed? Is there anything more that can be done to resolve further the issues affecting the boy child in their education? Data were generated through in depth semi structured interviews and focus groups. It emerged that drug abuse, gambling, theft, sexual immorality, child-headed homes, and bullying were among the issues impeding the boy child’s education in the current Zimbabwean milieu. The study recommends a deliberate thrust in engaging parents, school personnel, government departments, and other key stakeholders to address the challenges emerging from the study.