Online Reporter
Debra Matabvu Harare Bureau
THE first cohort of primary and secondary school learners under the heritage-based curriculum (HBC) will sit their public examinations next month.
This comes at a time the Government is accelerating the transition to the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) as the sole examination board in all schools across the country.
Schools open on Tuesday for the final term of the year, with the first HBC examinations set to begin mid-October.
The HBC was introduced in January last year and seeks to ensure learners acquire skills, values and attitudes for life as well as for work through integrating and reinforcing a strong scientific and technological bias as part of the Government’s skills development strategy.
This year’s exams set the pace for the full adoption of the HBC as a core syllabus from next year, with foreign curricula such as the Cambridge International Education pathway offered only as an optional add-on, subject to approval by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
The move is intended to standardise learning across the country and ensure that all learners receive an education grounded in Zimbabwe’s history, culture, languages and national development priorities, while still allowing schools to offer international qualifications as a supplement.
The Government has already conducted HBC teacher training workshops and provided textbooks and teaching materials in schools.
In an interview with our Harare Bureau, director of communications and advocacy in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Mr Taungana Ndoro said the first exams under the HBC provide a shift in the country’s education sector.
“This term is particularly historic, as the 2026 cohort becomes the first to sit for national examinations under the heritage-based curriculum, which emphasises holistic development, national values, heritage and the acquisition of skills and competencies alongside exam readiness, marking a pivotal shift from rote memorisation to innovation and problem-solving,” he said.
“While our immediate focus remains on delivering a flawless third term, the ministry continues to refine future reforms — including the eventual transition to Zimsec as the sole examination board and diversified learning pathways — with official announcements to follow in due course.”
Mr Ndoro also said schools across the country had been instructed to ensure learners returning from other countries, particularly South Africa, have access to education and exams.
“We acknowledge the compressed schedule for examination classes and confirm that schools are fully poised to prepare Grade Seven, Ordinary Level and Advanced Level candidates for their end-of-year summative assessments,” he added.
“All examination centres have been urged to provide adequate support while safeguarding the integrity, credibility and smooth conduct of the Zimsec examinations, and non-examination classes will similarly undertake their school-based assessments without compromising the protection of instructional time.
“In the same inclusive spirit, we direct that every child’s right to access education must be honoured, with special attention given to children with disabilities, vulnerable pupils and those returning from South Africa or other countries, who must be welcomed, enrolled and appropriately supported without being denied the opportunity to sit for their examinations.”
Inspections
The Government, he added, had conducted “rigorous pre-term inspections” at all schools across the country to ensure a smooth opening of the third term.
He also implored schools to strictly adhere to the country’s currency laws with regards to fees payment.
“As the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education warmly welcomes all pupils, teachers, school heads, administrators and education personnel back for the third term commencing on September 8, 2026, we do so with great optimism and thorough preparation, fully aware that this is one of the busiest and most important periods on the school calendar,” added Mr Ndoro.
“Our readiness is underscored by the rigorous pre-term inspections and clear directives to safeguard instructional time. We appeal to parents and guardians to pay approved fees and levies on or before opening day to ensure smooth operations, while firmly reiterating that payments must align with Zimbabwe’s fiscal and monetary laws.
“Critically, we remind school heads that parents and guardians are free to purchase uniforms and stationery from any reasonable supplier that meets school specifications, and school authorities are explicitly warned against making such purchases mandatory exclusively at school shops.”
Mr Ndoro also called on parents and schools to ensure that all vehicles used to transport learners are roadworthy, properly licensed and strictly free from overloading.
