Students' experiences in bush boarding facilities near schools: case of schools in Murewa district of Mashonaland East Province
- Author
- Mlambo, S.
- Title
- Students' experiences in bush boarding facilities near schools: case of schools in Murewa district of Mashonaland East Province
- Abstract
- Access to secondary education remains a challenge for many students living in rural areas of Zimbabwe. To address this, some schools in remote regions are surrounded by "bush boarding" housing facilities-located near the school campus to house students who live too far to commute daily. However, little is known about the experiences of students residing in these bush boarding facilities. This qualitative case study explored the experiences of students at two secondary schools in Murewa District of Mashonaland East Province that have bush boarding accommodations. Data was collected through focus group discussions with 12 students who are bush boarders. The findings indicate that the bush boarding facilities lack adequate infrastructure, resources, and support services for students. Many students in bush boarding facilities reported living in overcrowded, dilapidated dormitories with limited access to clean water, nutritious food and sanitation. Students described themselves as unsafe, isolated, and unsupported, which negatively impacted their physical health, emotional wellbeing, and academic performance. However, some of these students also highlighted the importance of bush boarding in enabling their access to secondary education. They discussed strategies they used to cope with the challenging living conditions, as well as ways the schools and communities could better support their needs. Recommendations are provided to improve the quality of bush boarding facilities and holistically address the educational and developmental needs of students in remote rural areas.
- Date
- 2024
- Publisher
- BUSE
- Keywords
- bush boarding
- Students' experiences
- facilities
- Supervisor
- Mr Mhishi
- Media
-
MLAMBO SIMBARASHE