Challenges and Mitigations on Quality Education in Emerging Private High Schools: A Case of Mabelreign/Warren Park District, Harare of Zimbabwe

This study aimed to explore the challenges and mitigations on quality of education in emerging private high schools in Mabelreign/Warren Park district in Harare Metropolitan Province of Zimbabwe. It is important to mention that the study was unique as it looked on the challenges and proffer the probable solutions to the challenges on quality of education in emerging private high schools where the population of these schools are increasing each year. The study was guided by the systems theory which views a system as an entity with interrelated elements in each one of these emerging private high schools. The study adopted a qualitative research approach using a case study design. Purposive sampling was used to select the participants. Data from fifteen (15) interviewees, seven (7) lesson observations were generated based on saturation point principle. The major findings are that high teacher: pupil ratio, high textbook-pupil ratio and unsafe learning environment are the major challenges that are experienced by emerging private high schools which in turn have negative impact on the provision of quality education. The study concluded that indeed, there is high teacher: pupil ratio, high textbook: pupil ratio, lack of modern teaching and learning aids, lack of current recommended textbooks; lack of science laboratory equipment and consumables, lack of computer laboratory resources and unsafe learning environment do exist in these emerging private high schools which impede the provision of quality education. To mitigate the challenges, the study recommended that Entrepreneurs in emerging private high schools should purchase current Cambridge recommended textbooks for each learner such that they leave by their message to the target market as per their ads. In addition, the study also recommended that School Heads should make sure that the teacher: pupil ratios are in tandem with the information they disseminate to the market. The study further recommends that Responsible Authorities should purchase the required science laboratory equipment and computer laboratory resources to ensure that learners have more practical lessons before the final examinations. Again, the study recommends that emerging private high schools should invest in modern teaching materials.