By Hilda Tanga

MARONDERA– The back-to-school period has come and gone, but for many parents in Zimbabwe, the effects are still being felt.

The financial strain, lack of sleep, and stress of ensuring their children are settled into their new routines have taken a toll on many families.

For some parents, the experience has been overwhelming.

“I’m exhausted,” said Natalie Ncube, a single mother of two.

“The cost of school fees, uniforms, and supplies has left me financially drained. I’m not sure how I’ll make ends meet this month,” she said.

On the other hand, some parents have found the experience to be a welcome change, and they are heaving a sigh of relief as the chaos of buying school supplies, and uniforms and managing schedules has subsided, and families are adjusting to the new routine.

However, even for parents who are generally positive about the new school year, there are still challenges to overcome.

“The early morning wake-up calls are killing me, and my pockets now have a huge hole,” said Katherine Mosike, a mother of three and Marondera resident.

“School expenses have left me high and dry. I no longer have any money for other expenses,” Mosike said.

For many parents, the back-to-school period is a stressful time, filled with anxiety about meeting deadlines, managing workloads, and ensuring their children are well-prepared for the year ahead. With the initial chaos dying down, parents can now focus on supporting their children’s academic and extra-curricular pursuits.

“I’m just glad the rush is over. Now, I can focus on helping my kids with their homework and ensuring they’re settled into their new classes.” Mosike added.

Although some are exhaling collective sighs, many are left with a huge hole in their pockets as all the money is used up, leaving them high and dry.

“It’s getting harder and harder to afford the basics after sending the children to school,” said Rutendo Moyo another Marondera resident.

The school term started on May 13, signaling a new academic term for primary and secondary pupils. This time of the term was a hard time for many, as some schools do not accommodate children who have not paid their school fees.

Many parents are still feeling the pinch, as they struggle to make ends meet, especially after dealing with the deadline of the Zimbabwe Schools Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) registration.

“I had to pay fees for a Form 2 student and a Form 4 student at the same time, while the Form 4 student required the registration fee, which stressed me a lot,” Rutendo Moyo said.

ZIMSEC announced a mop-up and consolidation registration window for candidates who missed the initial deadline for the November 2025 Ordinary and Advanced Level Examinations. The special registration ran from March 31 to May 16, allowing late candidates to register.

Despite the challenges, many parents are finding ways to cope with the stress and strain of the new school year.

“We’ve had to get creative with our schedules and budgets but it’s worth it to see our kids thrive,” Moyo said.

As the school year progresses, it remains to be seen how parents will continue to adapt to the demands of the new academic year. One thing is certain, however: it will be a challenging but potentially rewarding journey for many families.