PRECIOUS, who routinely misspells her name, is a 15-year-old Form II student at a secondary school in Matabeleland South Province. Her communication skills are non-existent. Her response to questions is usually in two phrases: "Akula" (there is nothing) "angazi" (I don't know).
At Precious' secondary school, 149 students enrolled in forms 1 to 4 share two classrooms and had only two teachers before two interns joined towards the end of last term. The two classrooms have potholed blackboards and floors. There are no desks and benches to talk about. For every subject taught, there is only one worn out textbook per 40 students.
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