‘Register your children at birth’

By Margaret Lubinda | Feb. 4, 2024

Peters said it was concerning that some children end up failing to enrol at local schools because of not having the much needed identity document.

Bulawayo provincial registrar Jane Peters, has urged parents to ensure their children acquire birth certificates at birth.

Peters said it was concerning that some children end up failing to enrol at local schools because of not having the much needed identity document.

“My appeal to all of us is to educate each other that children need to be registered,” Peters said during a provincial development committee meeting held at the Mhlahlandlela government offices in Bulawayo last week.

“You have to register that child, by law children should be registered within the first 42 days of birth.”

During the meeting, Education ministry officials had raised concern over the influx of early childhood development (ECD) learners without birth certificates in schools.

“Our responsibility is registering people with the right documentation,” Peters said in response.

“In Bulawayo, there are eight offices that offer births and deaths registrations, including mobile registration available, and outreaches we have carried out as a department to register children.”