192 Young Zimbabweans Get Second Chance at Tertiary Study

Quick answer: A second-chance education programme run by FAWE Zimbabwe with Mastercard Foundation support has enrolled 192 young Zimbabweans at Harare, Gweru, Mutare, Bulawayo and Kwekwe polytechnics and Belvedere Technical Teachers College. The phase running to 2030 plans to reach 600 young people in Zimbabwe, mostly young women, with routes into tertiary study and work.

Key Takeaways

• 192 young women and men are enrolled at six Zimbabwean institutions under Phase II of the FAWE-Mastercard Foundation programme.

• The Zimbabwe target is 600 beneficiaries, with 80% young women and 5–15% persons with disabilities.

• Higher Education Secretary Prof Fanuel Tagwira says students also need mentorship, financial and psychological support to finish.

• Government wants more young people moving into STEM through these alternative pathways.

• Across 10 African countries, the 2024–2030 programme aims to reach over 134,000 people aged 15 to 25.

A programme for young people who faced barriers to conventional education has now placed 192 Zimbabweans in tertiary institutions. The figure was given on Wednesday, 30 September, during a joint monitoring visit at Harare Polytechnic by officials from government, the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) and the Mastercard Foundation.

The students are spread across five polytechnics, in Bulawayo, Gweru, Harare, Kwekwe and Mutare, plus Belvedere Technical Teachers College, under the second phase of the FAWE-Mastercard Foundation programme, 263Chat reported.

What is the FAWE-Mastercard second chance programme?

Phase II carries a long official name: Second Chance Pathways for Increased Access to Tertiary Education for Marginalised Young Women and Men (2024–2030). According to FAWE Zimbabwe (FAWEZI), it aims to reach more than 134,000 people aged 15 to 25 in 10 African countries: Ghana, Ethiopia, Liberia, Malawi, Rwanda, Zambia, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Senegal and Tanzania.

In Zimbabwe, the plan is to support 600 young women and men. FAWEZI says the mix is deliberate:

• 80% of participants are to be young women and 20% young men.

• Between 5% and 15% are to be persons with disabilities.

• Priority goes to vulnerable groups, including young people from disadvantaged, conflict-affected or climate-affected communities, refugees and those facing harmful traditional practices.

The programme uses flexible pathways such as the Higher Education Access Certificate (HEAC) and the Higher Education Access Program (HEAP), which lead to tertiary studies, vocational training and economic empowerment.

What did officials say during the visit?

Professor Fanuel Tagwira, Secretary for Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, said the initiative was opening doors for young people who had faced barriers in conventional education.

"These 192 participants represent young Zimbabweans whose aspirations and potential have been given an opportunity to develop," Prof Tagwira said.

He stressed that getting students into class is only the first step. To stay the course, he said, learners also need academic support, mentorship, money and psychological care. With that help, they are more likely to graduate and move into jobs, start businesses or continue studying.

Tagwira also linked the programme to a wider government push to open more pathways into science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and build the country's human capital.

FAWE Zimbabwe executive director Lydia Madyirapanze explained that the visit brought together FAWE, the Mastercard Foundation, FAWE Zimbabwe, FAWE Zambia and FAWE Africa to review progress since Phase II began in Zimbabwe in 2024 and to hear from beneficiaries. She said beneficiaries need more than financial assistance, pointing to social support, mentorship and orientation. Hajra Zahid, the Mastercard Foundation's head of Girls' Education, said the team wanted a deeper understanding of FAWE's work in the country.

Which institutions are involved?

Current students are at the six colleges listed above. When the phase was formally launched in Harare in June 2025, FAWEZI named five universities expected to help lead implementation:

• Chinhoyi University of Technology

• Midlands State University

• Lupane State University

• Manicaland State University

• Bindura University of Science Education

These universities are to work alongside technical and vocational training institutions in Bulawayo, Harare, Gweru, Kwekwe, Mutare and Esigodini.

What happens next?

The monitoring team was expected to continue to Belvedere Technical Teachers College after Harare Polytechnic. So far 192 have enrolled, against a Phase II target of 600 for Zimbabwe, and the programme is set to run until 2030.

The visit was meant to assess progress and hear directly from beneficiaries. Both government and FAWE officials stressed keeping students enrolled, not just recruiting them.

Why does this matter for jobs in Zimbabwe?

A route that brings in young people who faced barriers to conventional education widens the pool of skilled workers. FAWEZI says the programme leads to tertiary studies, vocational skills training and economic empowerment, while Tagwira points to employment, entrepreneurship or further learning as the end goals.

FAWEZI's own strategy lists early marriage and teen pregnancy, poverty, school-related gender-based violence and harmful cultural norms among the barriers that keep girls out of education. The second chance model is built around those realities.

What this means for you

If you are aged 15 to 25 and your studies were interrupted, this kind of pathway may be worth exploring. Here is how to approach it sensibly:

1. Ask at the source. Contact FAWE Zimbabwe or the student affairs office at one of the participating polytechnics to find out whether and when new intakes open.

2. Check you fit the target group. The programme prioritises marginalised young people, especially young women and persons with disabilities.

3. Think about STEM. Government says it wants more young people entering science and technical fields.

4. Avoid middlemen. Never pay an agent to "secure" a place on the programme. Deal only with FAWE Zimbabwe or the institutions directly.

Parents, teachers and community leaders can also help by pointing eligible young people to official channels. Jobsiz will update this article if new intake dates are announced.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many students has the FAWE-Mastercard programme enrolled in Zimbabwe?

Prof Fanuel Tagwira said 192 young women and men have been enrolled so far across six institutions.

Which colleges are the students attending?

Harare, Gweru, Mutare, Bulawayo and Kwekwe polytechnics, plus Belvedere Technical Teachers College.

Who can benefit from the programme?

It targets marginalised young people aged 15 to 25. In Zimbabwe, 80% of places are meant for young women, and 5–15% for persons with disabilities.

How many people will the programme reach in Zimbabwe?

FAWE Zimbabwe says Phase II, running from 2024 to 2030, aims to support 600 young women and men in the country.

How do I find out about applying?

Contact FAWE Zimbabwe or a participating institution directly for intake information, and never pay an agent for a place.

Sources

• 263Chat – Young Zimbabweans get fresh route into tertiary education

• FAWE Zimbabwe – FAWEZI launches FAWE/Mastercard Foundation Phase II programme

This article was compiled by Jobsiz from the sources listed above, with AI-assisted writing and automated fact-checking. Published 2 October 2026. We update stories when new verified information becomes available.