Online Reporter
Herald Correspondent
THE Government has authorised schools to conduct vacation lessons for examination classes during the upcoming August holidays as part of efforts to enhance syllabus coverage and improve learner preparedness.
In a circular to school authorities, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has given the green light for Grade 7, Form Four and Upper Six pupils to attend a supervised 10-day learning programme scheduled from 18 to 29 August.
The lessons are intended to provide focused academic support ahead of final examinations, in line with the Ministry’s strategic goal of improving learner outcomes.
“The traditional approach to vacation schools has to be aligned to the Ministry’s strategy for ensuring continuity of learning,” the Circular states.
“The ministry looks forward to improving pupil performance through focused preparation.”
He said the decision aligns with the ministry’s broader learning approach under the Heritage-Based Curriculum, which encourages a blend of self-directed learning and teacher-facilitated instruction.
To ensure affordability and accountability, schools will charge nominal fees.
For Grade 7 pupils, primary schools may charge up to US$2 per learning area.
Secondary schools will charge US$3 for Form Four and US$5 for Upper Six students.
These fees are convertible to their Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency equivalents.
For boarding learners, an additional upkeep fee of US$5 per day has been set.
The circular also stipulates that schools must issue receipts for all payments, and proper financial records must be maintained and audited.
Collected funds will be allocated as follows: 30 percent to utilities, 20 percent to administration, and 50 percent towards teacher appreciation.
District inspectorate teams and literacy coordinators will monitor the implementation, while schools must ensure that all learners are in full uniform.
Teachers are expected to maintain professional conduct in line with the ‘Safe to Learn’ framework.
“Every effort should be made to engage parents so that all candidates benefit,” the Ministry added.
Zimbabwe School Heads Association secretary-general Mr Munyaradzi Majoni welcomed the initiative, saying it offers a safe and regulated environment for learners to receive extra support.
“This is a good initiative, and we welcome it,” said Mr Majoni.
