By Bigboy Madzivanzira
In Zimbabwe’s suburbs, the rush to access quality Early Childhood Development (ECD) education has spawned a lucrative transport industry. But at what cost?
Parents, eager to provide the best start for their kids, are dropping them off at pickup points and trusting strangers to get them safely to school. Some even view leaving their children alone as a sign of independence, with one mother proudly stating, “My child is very intelligent. Sometimes he even comes here alone…”
But the risks are all too real. Eyewitness accounts reveal disturbing practices: unattended kids at pickup points, overcrowded vehicles, and children as young as primary school age being used as conductors. In one shocking incident, a combi driver left a child to open and close the door unsupervised – and even drove off while the child was still hanging on.
The lack of regulation and oversight is staggering. Unqualified drivers, overcrowded vehicles, and lack of safety measures like seatbelts and emergency exits are just a few of the hazards facing Zimbabwe’s children.
Remember the tragic Chiredzi incident where children lost their lives in a school run accident? It’s time we learn from that tragedy and act.
Experts say it’s time for schools, authorities, and parents to unite and put safety first. Some potential solutions include:
– Dedicated school buses with trained drivers and conductors
– Stricter regulations and enforcement
– Parental education on safety risks
– School-led initiatives to improve transport safety
It’s not too late to make a change. Zimbabwe’s children deserve to be safe on their way to school.
About the Author:
Bigboy Madzivanzira is a multi-faceted Medical Rehabilitation Practitioner registered with the Medical Rehabilitation Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe, a Health Promotion Practitioner registered with the Allied Health Professions Council of Zimbabwe, a Family Therapist, a Special Needs Educator, Founder and Director of Health Promotion Clinic Trust, and a Freelance Journalist accredited with the Zimbabwe Media Commission. He can be contacted on 0773 367 913 or healthpromotionclinic@gmail.com