Online Reporter
Amos Mpofu, [email protected]
THE Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has authorised schools to conduct holiday lessons for examination classes during the August 2026 school break, limiting the programme to 10 working days.
The move is aimed at supporting examination candidates while ensuring learners and teachers have adequate time to rest, in line with the objectives of the Heritage-Based Curriculum, which also promotes independent learning.
In a statement, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Mr Moses Mhike, said schools had been granted authority to hold vacation school for Grade Seven, Form Four and Upper Six learners from August 7 to August 20, 2026.
“The holiday lessons will occur between 7 and 20 August, covering only ten working days,” said Mr Mhike.
He said the lessons are intended to assist examination candidates in improving their academic performance while ensuring schools remain aligned with the ministry’s broader education reforms.
Mr Mhike emphasised that schools must observe Heroes Day and Defence Forces Day on August 11 and 12 respectively and should not schedule lessons on those public holidays.
The ministry further stressed that no holiday lessons would be permitted beyond August 20.
He added that schools may utilise weekends where necessary to complete the authorised 10-day programme, depending on their designated worship days.
To regulate costs and ensure affordability, the ministry has also set standard fees for vacation school. Primary schools will charge Grade Seven learners US$2 per learning area, while secondary schools will charge US$3 per subject for Form Four candidates and US$5 per subject for Upper Six learners. Boarding pupils attending the programme will pay an additional US$5 per day to cover upkeep costs.
Mr Mhike said schools are strictly prohibited from charging fees above the approved rates.
He also directed all schools to issue receipts for payments received and maintain proper accounting records to ensure transparency and accountability.
The programme will be monitored by education inspectors, district literacy coordinators and remedial tutors, with monitoring reports expected to be submitted by August 31.
The ministry expressed confidence that the vacation school initiative would help examination candidates improve syllabus coverage, complete continuous assessment learning activities and adequately prepare for their final examinations.
Meanwhile, the third school term is scheduled to run from September 8 to December 3, 2026.
