The public education system in Zimbabwe includes thirteen years of schooling, including seven primary and six secondary school grades.
Primary and secondary education in Zimbabwe is overseen by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, while higher education programs in the country are under the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, both regulated by the government.
Despite human rights abuses, corruption, and other faults, former President Robert Mugabe declared education to be a basic human right in 1980 and invested heavily in the country's educational system. For a time, both primary and secondary education in Zimbabwe was free and compulsory. As a result, Zimbabwe has the highest adult literacy rates in Africa. There has been a decline in recent years, however. Because of a public health crisis and setbacks in Zimbabwe's economy, the country no longer promises tuition-free secondary education, and fees have been applied to its primary school programs.
Under the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Zimbabwe has introduced Early Childhood Development programs n recent years, offering early childhood education to children from three to five. Largely available in urban areas, ECD programs are sometimes offered by the government, or they may be sponsored by churches, organizations, or individuals.
Primary school is mandatory under Zimbabwe law and includes grades one through seven. Primary schools in urban areas generally teach in English, while rural schools may use a local native language. such as Shona or Ndebele, then phase in English by the third grade. Due to teacher shortages, some schools have fifty or more students per teacher.
Upon conclusion of grade seven, students must sit for a national examination that covers mathematics, English, Shona or Ndebele, as well as social sciences, environmental science, and religious education. Examination results may determine the type of secondary school that a student can attend. Urban public schools and private and religious schools generally have admission requirements, but many rural schools allow admission regardless of performance.
At this time, secondary education is not funded by the government, although it had previously been so. Students who continue beyond primary school may attend government boarding schools, government day schools, private boarding schools, religious schools, or international schools, all requiring payment of a fee, although some schools may have sponsors willing to pay all or a portion of the fees.
There are two levels of secondary education in Zimbabwe. After four years, students will have to pass an exam for the General Certificate of Education, also known as the Ordinary Level. Those who continue their secondary education for an additional two years will be awarded the General Certificate of Education Advanced Level upon satisfactory completion of a national examination.
The Ordinary Level exam expects students to pass a minimum of five subjects: science, English, mathematics, history, and a practical subject like agriculture or woodworking. Students are graded on a letter scale, which may determine placement in better schools as well as employment opportunities. Students passing the Ordinary Level have an option of enrolling in Advanced Level secondary education or teacher training, technical schools, agricultural schools, polytechnic, or nurses training.
Those who choose for A-Level secondary school will have to pass another test in two years, after completing six years of secondary school, which is a requirement for admission to universities in Zimbabwe.
University and tertiary schools are operated by the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education. These include universities, technical schools, polytechnic, and teacher training colleges, as well as various vocational training institutions.
The oldest university in the country is the University of Zimbabwe, which was created in 1957 as the University College of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. In recent years, several additional universities have opened, both public and private.
Despite an early effort to increase education in Zimbabwe after achieving independence, the demand soon became greater than the cash-strapped nation was able to supply. The quality and availability of education have been hampered by teacher shortages and economic difficulties, on the part of the government and parents who are asked to invest in their children's education. Tuition fees and other costs place education out of reach for many families in Zimbabwe. There is no reason to suspect that the government no longer values education, so it might be assumed that, as Zimbabwe's economy improve, so will the education that it offers to its people.
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Situated on a hundred acres of Arundel Farm in 1953, the school was formed to cater to girls, including boarders and day students, to be interdenominational, and to draw students from throughout the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, which is now the countries of Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi. Serving girls, 12-18, the school is in Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe. Its history, departments, admissions policies, and fees are set forth.
http://www.arundel.ac.zw/
Association of Trust Schools / Conference of Heads of Independent Schools in Zimbabwe
The ATS is an organization made up of independent primary and secondary schools in Zimbabwe, each not-for-profit entities, and the heads of ATS schools are eligible for membership in CHITZ, each of which is highlighted here, with a directory of schools and members, a calendar of meetings and events, and contact data. Application procedures, information for parents, and informational articles are included.
http://www.atschisz.co.zw/
Originally known as Masvingo State University, GZU is a higher learning institute in Masvingo, Zimbabwe. Its admissions policies, application procedures, prospectus, and fee structure are defined, and its schools, centers, and degree programs are outlined, including research and postgraduate studies, work-related learning programs, and alumni programs. Vacancies and other notices are posted to the site.
http://www.gzu.ac.zw/
HIS is a coeducational, international day school in Harare, Zimbabwe. Accredited by the Council of International Schools, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, and the International Baccalaureate Organization, HIS is an American-sponsored school offering the IB Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme. Its admissions policies, history, and strategic plan are outlined here.
https://www.harare-international-school.com/
The family business is registered with the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe. Based in Harare, the driver’s training school prepares students for the provisional driver’s license, the Class 4 license, and the VID car hire license, offering both the practical and tactical training, as well as the passport-size photographs necessary for the license. Client testimonials, photographs, and a blog are set forth.
http://www.highlandsdrivingschool.co.zw/
MSU is a government university in Zimbabwe, with its main campus in Gweru and satellite campuses elsewhere in Gweru and in the mining town of Zvishavane. Its background, governance, and administrative contacts are posted to the site, along with its faculties, research programs and facilities, libraries, and online services. Admissions policies, fee structure, a university calendar, and vacancies are included.
http://ww4.msu.ac.zw/
The Peterhouse Group is a collection of Anglican boarding schools outside of Marondera, Zimbabwe. Peterhouse Boys’ School, Peterhouse Girls’ School, Springvale House, and The Petrean Society are included, each of which is highlighted, with their locations, grade levels and demographics, curriculum, admissions policies and fees, details of their programs, and administrative contacts.
http://www.peterhouse.org/
Founded in 2010, the Harare school was originally just an ECD nursery school, but it now consists of more than three campuses, junior school, nursery school, and high school. Its founders and team are introduced, and its academic programs, admissions policies and procedures, a calendar of events, news and announcements, teaching and support vacancies, and administrative contacts.
https://www.reekworthschools.com/
Originally a preparatory boarding school for boys, Ruzawi was established in 1928, and became coeducational in 2003, serving students from six to twelve years of age. Situated just south of Marondera, the Zimbabwe school is surrounded by woodland and eucalyptus plantations. Its academic programs, curriculum, and boarding services are highlighted, along with its cultural, conservation, music, and drama programs.
http://www.ruzawischool.co.zw/
Saint John’s Educational Trust
Headquartered in Harare, Zimbabwe, the Trust governs two schools, Saint John’s Preparatory School for Boys and Saint John’s College, both independent day schools, whose headmasters are members of the Conference of Heads of Independent Schools of Zimbabwe. A history and profile of the trust are featured, with details of each of its schools, including admissions policies, awards, and a calendar of events.
http://www.stjohns.co.zw/
Using an educational curriculum developed from the British National Curriculum and adapted for Zimbabwe, the Harare, Zimbabwe school offers boarding and day school options. The school campus is shown on a map, and a tour may be arranged through the site. Admissions policies and school fees are stated, and an application form may be downloaded from the site. A school calendar and administrative contacts are published to the site.
http://www.theheritageschool.net/
Formed in 1975 by missionaries trained by the Churches of Christ, the school was first known as Rhodesian Christian College, which trained both Africans and Europeans in night classes, church services, camps, retreats, and correspondence courses. When Zimbabwe became a nation in 1980, the college became Zimbabwe Christian College and relocated to the capital city of Harare. Its history, mission, and current programs are defined.
http://www.zimbabwechristiancollege.org/
Incorporated as a 501C-3 company in Arlington, Virginia, the non-profit organization was formed to provide orphans and underprivileged children in Zimbabwe with the opportunity to attain an education by sponsoring the educational costs associated with an education in Zimbabwe. Its organizational structure and officers are noted, with details of its work and the process involved, as well as a plea for contributions.
http://www.zimbabweeducationfund.org/
Zimbabwe Institute of Diplomacy
Located in Harare, Zimbabwe, the accredited vocational and tertiary educational institution offers practical training in contemporary diplomacy, diplomatic protocol and etiquette, communications skills, leadership development, negotiation and conflict resolution skills, contemporary international relations and international law, stress management techniques and personal grooming. Its academic programs and admission policies are stated.
http://www.zimdiplomacy.com/
ZOU is a distance university that began as a distance education program of the University of Zimbabwe in 1993, as a means for that institution to meet the growing demand for higher education, separating to become the University College of Distance Education in 1996, becoming a university in 1999. Its campuses, faculties, programs, and library services are defined, along with schedules and a calendar of events.
http://www.zou.ac.zw/
