Thousands of pupils drop out of school every year in Buffalo City, but local NGOs, educators and social workers are working together to try combat this problem.
Zero Dropout is a local programme, affiliated with the Small Project Fund, that is involved in helping keep children enrolled in school.
The programme has identified 5,987 pupils who have dropped out of school in Buffalo City and has helped return 2,340 of them back to the classroom.
Sasha King, a social worker who is affiliated with the programme, said the school dropout issue was a symptom of deeper social, psychological, physiological and financial challenges that children faced.
She said the misconception that children dropped out of school because they were naughty or lazy inhibited the possibility of helping and supporting them when they needed it.
Zero Dropout identifies schools across Buffalo City that have a problem with pupils dropping out and pays home visits to the children to determine the reasons behind their absenteeism and consequently what support is needed.
Langa Primary principal Lulamela Mazula said a social worker from the programme was appointed to assist in determining the cause behind the increased dropout rate at the school.
In one instance, they discovered that in a household with 13 children, four who had attended Langa Primary had stopped going to school because they did not have school uniforms or enough food at home.
Zero Dropout intervened and the children were returned to school.
King said in another instance, a pupil was at risk of dropping out as she was unable to complete tasks or follow instructions.
When Zero Dropout intervened, she was taken to Frere Hospital for testing, where it was determined that she suffered from minor hearing loss.
She was provided with drops for her ears and a hearing aid and is reportedly performing well.
Mazula said that through the programme, the school had been trained to monitor attendance and collect data.
The programme also teaches school administrators to develop a clear vision and mission as well as incorporate more activities and games into classroom work as an incentive to encourage pupils to view school as fun.
Brenda Mazwi, the founder of NGO, Hope Lithemba kitchen, works hard to prevent children in her area from dropping out of school.
Mazwi founded her NGO in 2018 to provide support to vulnerable, abandoned and neglected children from Parkside.
She provides children with meals, Wi-Fi for homework and other related support that will enable them to attend school.
Mazwi said in her area, parents left their children behind while they worked in different cities or were struggling with substance abuse, leaving their children to fend for themselves.
Zero Dropout programme leader, Dr Paul Cromhout, said school dropouts were at greater risk of HIV, teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, and other dangers.
Mazwi witnesses this in her own community and mentors young girls to try prevent them from leaving school.
Sixteen-year-old Cheslyn Sauls said thanks to Mazwi’s help and guidance, she had avoided risks such as teenage pregnancy.
