Online Reporter
Amos Mpofu
[email protected]
THE Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has reaffirmed the Government’s position that all learners in Zimbabwe, including those enrolled in Cambridge programmes, are required to follow the Heritage-Based Curriculum (HBC).
The clarification follows a statement issued by Cambridge University Press and Assessment on June 15, 2026, which indicated that, based on its engagements with the Government, learners would continue to have a choice of curriculum and would not be required to study both international and local curricula.
Responding to the statement, the Ministry’s Director of Communications and Advocacy, Mr Taungana Ndoro, said that while the Ministry appreciates Cambridge’s engagement with the Government, it wishes to clarify Zimbabwe’s firm position regarding the national curriculum framework.
“There is no choice of curriculum. The Heritage-Based Curriculum (HBC) is mandatory for all pupils in Zimbabwe. This position has not changed and will not be altered by any engagements with external examination bodies,” he said.
Mr Ndoro said the Ministry’s position remains unequivocal, namely that the HBC is the national curriculum and must be implemented by all schools; the first national examinations under the HBC will be administered in 2028; and the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) will be the sole examination body for all national examinations from 2027.
“We are not banning Cambridge or any other international examination board. Pupils may voluntarily sit Cambridge examinations as an additional qualification — a supplementary one — but this does not replace or exempt them from the mandatory HBC and ZIMSEC-administered national examinations,” he added.
Mr Ndoro further stated that any suggestion that learners have a choice between curricula is inaccurate and misleading.
“Cambridge’s statement does not reflect the policy direction of the Government of Zimbabwe. We remain open to dialogue with Cambridge and other stakeholders on how international qualifications can complement — not substitute — our national curriculum. However, there will be no deviation from the mandatory implementation of the Heritage-Based Curriculum,” he said.
derick.khumalo