Government makes u-turn, allows extra lessons despite initial ban

HARARE – The Zimbabwean government has authorized extra lessons for examination classes, reversing its earlier decision which banned such lessons over concerns that teachers were exploiting them to earn additional income.

The decision, announced via a circular dated July 16, 2024, by Permanent Secretary for Primary and Secondary Education Moses Mhike, will exacerbate the financial burden on parents already struggling with high school fees.

Mhike authorized schools to conduct vacation school during the August holidays for Grade 7, Form Four, and Upper Six examination classes.

The circular, distributed to educational authorities and associations, outlines the conditions and rationale for what it termed a temporary measure.

“The design of the annual school calendar takes into consideration the need for pupils to rest and enjoy the balance between study and play,” Mhike wrote in the circular. However, Mhike said, the ministry acknowledges the challenges schools face in covering the syllabus, prompting the need for vacation lessons.

The Ministry emphasized the importance of the Heritage-Based Curriculum, which encourages independent study and self-led learning. To support this, the Ministry said it has been advocating for blended teaching approaches and the use of emerging technologies to enhance learning. Despite these efforts, some schools still face difficulties in syllabus coverage, Mhike said.

To address these challenges, the Ministry has granted permission for schools to hold vacation lessons from August 19 to 30.

“…it is recognised that schools have different challenges that may have affected their syllabus coverage and necessitated the conduct of vacation school for examination classes. All must be cognisant of the need to prevent the ever escalating cost of teaching and learning for parents, particularly in view of the disadvantaged pupils who otherwise would not benefit from extra support,” Mhike wrote.

“Therefore, for the year, 2024, authority is granted for schools to conduct vacation school during the August holidays for the examination classes of Grade7, Form Four (4) and Upper Six (6). The holiday lessons will take place between 19 and 30 August, a period of ten (10) working days only,” he continued.

Fees have been set at US$2.00 per learning area for Grade 7 pupils, US$3.00 per learning area for Form Fours, and US$5.00 per learning area for Upper Six students, with equivalent rates in Zimbabwe Gold currency.

Boarding students will incur an additional charge of US$4.00 per day for their upkeep, Mhike said.

However, schools, which have already been clandestinely offering extra lessons without approval, are unlikely to suddenly adhere strictly to the authorized payment structure. Instead, they are likely to continue making private arrangements with parents for higher fees, citing the additional resources required for these lessons.

To counter this, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has instructed all schools to issue receipts for payments and maintain meticulous records for auditing purposes.

The Ministry has also insisted that the vacation school activities will be closely monitored by the Inspectorate, District Literacy Coordinators, and Remedial Tutors to ensure compliance and effectiveness.