LISTEN: School dropout has tripled during the pandemic

An extra 500 000 children have dropped out of school during the pandemic, according to new NIDS-CRAM Wave 5 data. Research shows that dropout numbers have tripled from 230 000 before the pandemic to approximately 750 000 in May 2021. Merle Mansfield, Programme Director of the Zero Dropout Campaign, speaks to Cape Talk host John Maytham about the need for an urgent and sustained dropout prevention plan to help learners to stay in, and succeed, at school.