As the world focuses on the inauguration of Zimbabwe’s Prime Minister and the commencement of a government of national unity, UNICEF today released staggering data revealing that 94 per cent of schools in rural Zimbabwe remain closed and called for a prioritisation of the education sector by the new government.

The education situation is a national disaster. It is imperative that the unity government focuses on this. Children in rural areas already live on the margins, many are orphaned, a huge number depend on food aid, they struggle on numerous fronts.” said UNICEF Representative in Zimbabwe, Roeland Monasch. “Now these children are being denied the only basic right that can better their prospects. It is unacceptable.”