Championing Girls’ Education in Mudzi: Kelvin Chiwesi

Thousands of children in Mudzi are missing out on education, trapped in cycles of poverty and exclusion. But I believe there is hope, and I am committed to making a difference. My name is Kelvin Chiwesi, a 5th cohort Teach For Zimbabwe fellow, and I lead a girls’ education club called GIRLS ARE FUTURE LEADERS at Kotwa Government Primary School. Alongside teachers, school administrators, and community members, we are working tirelessly to identify out-of-school learners and bring them back into classrooms.

Since February 2025, I have been championing girls’ education across the district. I spend my time reaching out to communities, running awareness campaigns, and partnering with local leaders to locate children who are missing out on schooling. I also strive to understand the specific challenges they face — from poverty and child labor to limited access to schools — so that we can provide solutions that truly work.

Through these efforts, my club has managed to identify a total of 86 out-of-school children, 56 of whom are girls. Using flexible learning programs, we are helping these learners re-enroll and catch up on the education they’ve missed. Each success we celebrate motivates us to keep going, and each challenge teaches us lessons that strengthen our approach.

Every child deserves an education. With the support of Teach For Zimbabwe, my club and I are making sure that no child is left behind. We are not just bringing children back into classrooms — we are opening doors to opportunities and brighter futures.

We have seen how small interventions can make a huge difference. Through mentorship, catch-up sessions, and collaboration with families, children are gaining confidence and re-engaging with learning. The community has also been inspired to support education more actively, whether by encouraging girls to stay in school, volunteering their time, or advocating for learners’ rights.

Our journey continues, and we celebrate every child who takes that step back into the classroom. This work is not just about education — it is about transforming lives and building a community where every child has the chance to succeed.

Facts

In Zimbabwe and across Africa, education remains out of reach for too many children. National data shows that a significant proportion of school‑age children are not enrolled in school, with some estimates suggesting hundreds of thousands of children out of school, especially at the primary and lower secondary levels. In rural areas, the challenge is often intensified by poverty, limited access to basic resources, and long distances to school.

Girls, in particular, continue to face compounding barriers. Across Africa, nearly 19 million girls are estimated to be out of school, with poverty, early marriage, and school costs cited as persistent obstacles to sustained education for girls.

 In Zimbabwe, research also shows that early pregnancy, financial constraints, and social expectations compound the risk of girls dropping out — making inclusive, flexible, and supportive education programmes essential.

References

African Union Commission. (2020). Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 2016–2025) progress report. Addis Ababa: African Union.

Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MoPSE). (2021). Education Sector Strategic Plan (2021–2025). Harare: Government of Zimbabwe.

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). (2023). Girls’ education. New York: UNICEF.

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) & Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT). (2019). Zimbabwe Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2019 findings report. Harare: ZIMSTAT & UNICEF.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Institute for Statistics. (2022). Out-of-school children and youth. Montreal: UIS.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). (2023). Global education monitoring report 2023. Paris: UNESCO Publishing.