Sikhumbuzo Moyo [email protected]
THE 2026 Grade Seven examinations have concluded at examination centres across the country, with the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) reporting a smooth process with no cases of question paper leakages or malpractice.
Candidates sat for Paper Two of the eight indigenous languages — Ndebele, Shona, Tshivenda, Xichangana, Sesotho, Kalanga, Nambya and Xhosa — bringing the primary school examination cycle to an end.
Paper One of the indigenous languages was written on September 28, a week after the examinations commenced with English Paper One.
Zimsec spokesperson Ms Nicky Dlamini said the examinations proceeded smoothly countrywide.
“There were no leakages in our examinations. The process went very well. We have no reported cases of malpractice and, as far as we are concerned, the process went extremely well,” she said.
At Milton Junior School in Bulawayo, learners expressed excitement at completing their primary education, although some were emotional about leaving a school they had called home since their Early Childhood Development (ECD) years.
The school had 129 learners sitting for the Grade Seven examinations this year.
Deputy headmistress Mrs Cotilia Nsingo said the school was confident its learners would make it proud when the results are released.
Learner Charles Tatenda Mudzingwa said he was leaving the school with mixed emotions.
“This has been my home and exiting it is never easy. However, I am happy that I have finished my primary education and am looking forward to a new chapter next year, where I hope to enrol at St Columbus High School here in Bulawayo,” he said.
Mudzingwa said he was confident of performing well, adding that the examinations were not particularly difficult.
“I know I will definitely score less than eight points,” he said.
Another learner, Babongile Thembinkosi Sibanda, said he was excited to have completed his primary education.
“I am happy that the primary school chapter is done and dusted. The examinations were writable, although, of course, there were one or two tricky questions, but all went well. I am looking forward to secondary life come next year,” he said.
A total of 413 792 candidates registered for this year’s Grade Seven examinations, up from 389 626 candidates who sat for the examinations in 2025.
Last year, 188 930 of the 389 626 candidates who wrote the examinations passed all six subjects, giving a national pass rate of 48,49 percent.
The 2025 pass rate represented a slight decline of 0,52 percentage points from the 49,01 percent recorded in 2024.
