| Abstrakt: |
This conceptual research study exploited secondary data to interrogate the effects of the poverty penalty on rural education in Southern Africa during the COVID- 19 pandemic. The study exploited Urie Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory as its bedrock for analysis. The study established that the intended measures that were meant to contain the deadly virus resulted in a plethora of poverty-related challenges. Besides the existing poor, the situation created the new poor, particularly in rural areas. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the poverty penalty, in which, despite their struggle, the poor were required to pay more for education, food, health, and other social services. This translated to dropout, malnutrition, poor health, increased gender inequality and eventually underachievement by the rural learner. The study recommends that in future, accurate information regarding the needy should be carefully gathered to provide safety nets to the new poor and the existing vulnerable groups. Moreover, stronger forethought in preparedness and social policies should be in place to cater for the vulnerable in the case of future emergencies in areas like education, food security, health, and gender services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
