Democracy Quote by Michael Dorris
““The World Bank, anxious that the last vestiges of Zimbabwe's former inclination toward socialism be abandoned, successfully urged the imposition of a token tuition charge for all grade levels. Equivalent to one U. S. dollar per year per child, this fee constitutes a burden to the poorest families, who have responded by sending only boys to classes. Too many of the girls . . . have resorted to prostitution in order to eat.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The World Bank and Zimbabwe, 1990s, analysis
The policy imposed a nominal school fee that disproportionately harmed the poorest families, leading to gender‑biased attendance and desperate survival strategies.
In simple terms: A tiny school fee caused big harm, especially to girls.
Key Takeaway
Recognize hidden impacts of “small” policies.
Themes
inequality
gender
poverty
policy
education
Mood
concerned
critical
Type
sociopolitical
analytical
When to use this quote
- Rural schooling
- family budgeting
- NGO interventions
- government budgeting
- human rights advocacy
Key Concepts
Economic burden
social exclusion
gender disparity
Questions to Reflect On
- How could policy be designed to avoid gender bias?
- What alternatives exist to fund education without harming the poor?
A Different Perspective
The fee may seem negligible but can exacerbate existing inequities.
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