Zimbabwe govt reverses controversial ban on Grade Seven holiday

In a surprising turn of events, the Zimbabwean government has reversed its ban on the traditional early school holiday for Grade Seven pupils who had just completed their national examinations.

HARARE – In a surprising turn of events, the Zimbabwean government has reversed its decision to cancel the traditional early school holiday for Grade Seven pupils who had just completed their national examinations.

The Grade Seven pupils concluded their examinations last week, and the initial directive from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education had canceled the holiday.

Instead, the ministry ordered the current Grade Sevens to continue attending school until the end of the third term in December, participating in so-called “compulsory organized learning” aimed at facilitating their transition from primary to secondary education.

School children attend a ZIMSEC class in the Shona language on the first day of term at the Vimbai Primary School in Norton, west of the capital Harare, in Zimbabwe Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019. Former president Robert Mugabe, who enjoyed strong backing from Zimbabwe's people after taking over in 1980 but whose support waned following decades of repression, economic mismanagement and allegations of election-rigging, is expected to be buried on Sunday, state media reported. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
FILE PHOTO: School children attend a class in the Shona language on the first day of term at the Vimbai Primary School in Norton, west of the capital Harare, in Zimbabwe Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

This move was intended to provide students with guidance and counseling as they prepared to enroll in secondary school.

However, the government has since made a U-turn on this order.

A circular numbered 18 was issued by the Secretary for Primary and Secondary Education, Moses Mhike, announcing the cancellation of the previous directive.

According to Mhike, Grade 7 pupils should now be allowed to close school and enjoy their well-deserved break.

Furthermore, the circular makes provision for schools that had planned and budgeted for educational school trips to proceed with their arrangements as outlined in Circular P54.

The reversal has been widely discussed among stakeholders, and it reflects the importance of flexibility in educational policies to accommodate the well-being and expectations of students, especially during significant transitional periods in their academic journey.

RosGwen24 News
RosGwen24 News
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