HARARE – The government has sharply increased Zimsec exam fees for Ordinary level and Advanced level students in a trend that could cause some of them fail to sit for their finals.
The new exam fee structure could lead to mass dropouts as more parents struggle to meet their children’s educational needs due to poor remuneration.
According to a circular by the Zimbabwe Schools Examinations Council (Zimsec), Grade 7 examination candidates will pay $4 388 while the government will pay $5 362 giving a total of $9 750.
Ordinary Level candidates will pay $1 620 while the government will pay $1 980 per subject giving a total of $3 600.
Last year students paid $742 after a 55% subsidy from the government. The government paid $906 to make the total $1 648.
Advanced Level candidates will pay $3 240 up from $1 080 per subject last year, while the government will pay $3 960 giving a total of $7 200.
The government can only pay for seven subjects and students are expected to pay for extra subjects in full at $3 600 for O’ Level and $7 200 for A’ Level.
Candidates doing practical lessons are expected to pay full amounts per subject while government will not subsidise students in private schools.
Parents with children at government schools will pay $8 100 for five O’ Level subjects.
