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Article Title: Effects of Holiday Lessons and Financial Pressures on Low-Income Families and Households in Masvingo, Zimbabwe
by Nyaradzo Jinga and Emily Ganga

Abstract:
In an effort to satisfy the Zimbabwe millennium development goals number one (1) and two (2), schools in Zimbabwe have resorted to engaging parents with school going children to contribute financially towards what has been called 'extra lessons' during the vacation period. This involves payment of tuition and teaching from the stipulated syllabi especially for examinable classes. Both low and high income groups participate in this venture. This study endeavoured to unveil the numerous effects of holiday lessons on families and households in Masvingo in Zimbabwe. The major purpose was to establish positive and negative effects this practice has on both the children and families involved in funding the lessons. The case study is hinged on Bronfenbrenner`s ecological theory. Participants were drawn from Masvingo urban primary and secondary school children, their parents/ guardians and teachers. Data were collected through questionnaires administered to randomly selected school children and purposively selected teachers. Parents of children involved were also conveniently sampled and interviewed. It was established that the uncontrolled extra tuition fee rates charged by some teachers, had detrimental effects on breadwinners as far as coping with family budgets was concerned. The practice also affects the child morally, socially and psychologically where efforts to learn are hindered by the low poverty datum line in which they live. Teachers defended their positions saying lessons were beneficial to the learner. The study recommended a re-look into holiday lessons, by the Ministry of Education Sport, Arts and Culture officials/ supervisors where they could devise a way to assist every learner without any psychological harm on parents and their children. Extra teaching could be organised and be managed at school level at much more affordable rates all in an effort to enhance sustainability in education.

Keywords: holiday lessons, low-income, household, interdependence, economic hardships

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