VIDEO: The importance of psychosocial support during the Covid-19 pandemic

Zero Dropout Campaign Programme Director Merle Mansfield speaks to eNCA anchor Uveka Rangappa about how protracted school closures can lead to an increase in learner dropout.

Mansfield says that a lack of psychosocial support mechanisms, coupled with a convergence of push and pull factors in a child’s home and school environment over time, may cause them to drop out of school.

“In the absence of mentors, role models and tutors, at-risk learners simply don’t have access to support structures that would help them overcome their learning hurdles,” she adds.