By Minacho Gwamanda-The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) has announced that the deadline for registering for the June and November 2025 examinations will be March 10 and March 24, respectively.

The examination body has urged candidates to complete the process at their nearest school or examination centre before the deadlines lapse.

In a statement, ZIMSEC confirmed that examination fees have been pegged in US dollars, with a Government subsidy available for candidates in public schools, local authority schools, and non-profit mission schools. 

However, private candidates, students attending private schools, and those retaking subjects will be required to pay the full amount.

Under the new fee structure, O’ Level candidates will pay US$24 per subject, with the Government subsidising US$13, leaving eligible students to cover US$11 per subject.

 A’ Level candidates will be required to pay US$48 per subject, with a Government subsidy of US$26, reducing the amount to US$22 for qualifying students.

Payments can be made in US dollars, South African Rand, or Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) at the prevailing interbank rate as of March 10, 2024, for the June session and March 24, 2024, for the November session.

ZIMSEC also clarified that the Government will subsidise up to seven subjects for O’ Level candidates and four subjects, including Communication Skills, for A’ Level candidates. 

However, the subsidy will not apply to candidates retaking subjects, and students on the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) will not receive financial aid for repeat exams.

The registration announcement comes against a backdrop of mounting concerns over the effectiveness of the new education curriculum introduced in recent years, which has been linked to a sharp decline in national pass rates.

The Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), introduced in 2017, sought to modernise the education system by integrating practical learning, continuous assessment, and digital literacy. 

However, many teachers, students, and parents have raised concerns over its implementation challenges, lack of resources, and increased workload.

ZIMSEC’s most recent results revealed a worrying trend of declining performance, with the 2023 O’ Level pass ratedropping to 27.57%, down from 28.96% in 2022.

Similarly, A’ Level results showed a dip in performance, with many candidates struggling in science and mathematics subjects.

Education experts have attributed the poor performance to several factors, including:

• A shortage of qualified teachers trained to deliver the new curriculum effectively.
• Inadequate learning materials, particularly in rural schools.
• Economic hardships that make it difficult for parents to afford exam fees and supplementary learning resources.
• Frequent disruptions in the school calendar, including COVID-19 lockdowns and teacher strikes over low salaries.

As the exam registration deadline nears, students, parents, and education stakeholders are urging the Government and ZIMSEC to re-evaluate the curriculum’s impact and address the factors contributing to declining pass rates.

Meanwhile, parents and guardians have been advised to check with their respective schools or examination centres for specific registration details.

“Stakeholders are encouraged to contact their respective centres for registration closing dates to avoid any inconvenience,” ZIMSEC stated.

With the exam season approaching, students are encouraged to register early and take advantage of the Government subsidies. 

For further details, candidates have been urged to visit their nearest school, examination centre, or the official ZIMSEC website.