A growing wave of anti-immigrant action in South Africa has disrupted the education of hundreds, and possibly thousands, of children as immigrant families are forced to leave the country.
Many of the affected learners, mostly from Zimbabwean families, have abandoned their studies amid harassment, forced evictions and repatriation efforts.
One of the affected students, Grade 12 learner Quincy Nemhara, said he was subjected to discrimination at school because of his nationality before deciding to return to Zimbabwe with his mother.
Another parent, Nicolate Hotera, who lived in South Africa for 11 years, is also returning to Zimbabwe with her children, who are in Grades 8 and 5. She said the children, who have no birth certificates from either South Africa or Zimbabwe, may struggle to continue their education because they have never lived in Zimbabwe.
Advocacy groups say many learners are leaving South Africa without transfer letters or academic records, raising concerns that they could permanently lose access to formal education.
The Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) Coordinating Committee said it is exploring online learning options to help displaced learners continue their studies, while Zimbabwean community organisations are working with the country’s diplomatic missions to assist families returning home.
Human rights groups also reported that some immigrants were assaulted, robbed and forced from their homes, with many leaving with only the clothes they were wearing. Some children reportedly said they were insulted and threatened because of their nationality.
Meanwhile, humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers said it has provided food, water, baby supplies, blankets and other relief materials to tens of thousands of people at a temporary repatriation centre in Musina.
The developments have raised fresh concerns among education and human rights advocates over the impact of anti-immigrant campaigns on children’s right to education and protection.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.