Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza in BULAWAYO
A NUMBER of schools recorded ZERO percent pass rates in the 2025 Grade 7 examinations.
This has led education officials to call for an inclusive adaptation of the Heritage Based Curriculum for improved standards in the country.
Matabeleland North’s seven districts of Nkayi, Hwange, Bubi, Umguza, Lupane, Tsholotsho and Binga recorded zero percent pass rates from 20 primary schools.
In Matabeleland South, 11 primary schools in four districts namely Insiza, Bulilima, Gwanda and Matobo could not breach the zero percent pass rate.
Other areas, which had zero percent pass rates, include schools in Gokwe South, Chiredzi, Makonde, Kariba and Zvimba, to name but a few.
The issue of schools recording zero percent pass rate in the Grade 7 public examinations has been of major concern to parents and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
Professor Lwazi Sibanda, the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) Executive Dean and Associate Professor in the Faculty of Science and Technology Education, said it’s important for teachers to start from the basics when trying to identify a learners’ shortcomings in class.
“It is critical for teachers to identify where their learners are lacking, for instance if pupils have difficulties in reading, the teachers must tackle that particular problem. If a learner cannot read, it is a serious problem because they will not pass English, Maths or any other subject.
“Rural schools face challenges of lack of resources and learning materials but we cannot let those challenges be the major reasons for zero percent pass rates.
“What is key is for schools to capacitate teachers in the form of workshops and other capacity building programmes to improve their skills and interpretation of the Heritage Based Curriculum and innovative teaching methods,” said Prof Sibanda.
She added:
“Learners operate at different levels of grasping and understanding what they are taught, some are academically gifted while others are not, and that is why the ministry has introduced the Heritage Based Curriculum that appreciates that each child has a gift that must be nurtured.
“Teachers must be able to identify each learners’ strength, be it in agriculture, sports, drama or academics and nurture that gift to give each child a chance to make a better life for themselves.”
Mrs Beatrice Manjere, the Matabeleland South Provincial Education Director (PED) said the province has been making steady progress to eliminate zero percent pass rates.
“We have seen a steady improvement across schools in the province and the number of schools recording zero percent pass rates have been decreasing over the years,” she said.
In Matabeleland North, Provincial Education Director Mr Jabulani Mpofu believes walking distances to schools plays a factor in the poor pass rates.
“It is a challenge that requires a holistic approach and intervention measures from Government, teachers and parents.
“In a lot of the schools that record zero percent pass rates we have identified long walking distances to and from school as a major contributor to pupils performing poorly in Grade Seven examinations,” said Mr Mpofu.
