Educational challenges of 6- to 7-year-old children in children’s homes: Ensuring the right to quality education

Background: The 6- to 7-year-old children are in a delicate development phase. Children’s homes are meant to provide and protect them. This age range is often sidelined in research, and challenges regarding fulfilling their rights in children’s homes are often unknown. Aim: This study explores the educational challenges experienced by the 6- to 7-year-olds in children’s homes, focusing on the right to quality education. This study aims to provide implications for Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) targets. Setting: The study was conducted in Zimbabwe’s capital city, Harare. The researchers selected seven children’s homes. A total of 42 children, aged 6 years to 7 years, took part in this study. Methods: Data were collected by conducting individual semi-structured interviews and focus groups. Thematic data analysis was used. Results: Findings indicated that inadequate academic resources, missed schoolwork because of the malfunctioning of the Basic Education Assistance Module, insufficient academic support from caregivers and inadequate technological devices hindered children’s access to quality education. Conclusion: The study revealed challenges, such as inadequate material and financial resources, which impeded the right to quality education for children in children’s homes. Contribution: Overall, regardless of who owned the children’s homes, the findings showed that none of the selected children’s homes in Harare were aligned with the targets of SDG 4. This study concludes that effective fulfilment of the right to quality education lies mainly in adequate funding.