Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza
BULAWAYO was abuzz on Monday morning as parents and schoolchildren thronged pick-up points across the city, with boarders heading back to schools scattered across Matabeleland North and South provinces.
Schools officially open for the Third Term on Tuesday, marking the final stretch of the 2025 academic year.
A snap survey by Chronicle at the City Hall parking lot revealed hundreds of excited — and sometimes teary — children boarding buses loaded with groceries, stationery, and luggage as parents made sure their kids were ready for the last three months of school.
It was also a frantic day for many families as they dashed around the city making last-minute shopping trips.
Thubelihle Moyo, whose daughter is in Form Three at a boarding school in Matabeleland North, said she focused on essentials rather than new uniforms.
“My daughter’s school uniforms are still in good condition. The only things I had to buy were groceries and stationery such as books and pens. I wish her all the best in her final examinations for the year, and I made sure she has everything she needs so that she is not distracted,” she said.
The Third Term is traditionally a crucial period, with public examinations such as Grade Seven, O-Level, and A-Level finals set to kick off in the coming weeks.
For many parents, Monday’s rush was about more than shopping — it was about setting their children up for success in the all-important last term.
