PRIMARY and Secondary Education minister Cain Mathema has reversed the recent increase in examination fees by the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) saying there is need for further consultations.
In a statement on Wednesday morning Mathema agreed with some sections who had argued that the recent examination hike had made education unaffordable to many.
“While the examination fees that were published are based on the actual cost of each examination, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education would like to inform parents and guardians that following further representations, the recently released circular on the 2020 examination fees has been cancelled with immediate effect,” he said.
“New fees will be announced after further consultations have been made with all the relevant stakeholders. Parents and guardians are therefore advised to continue paying the old fees approved in 2015. Please be advised that the deadlines for examination fees payment remain the same,” he added.
The examination fees for Ordinary Level had been increased to ZWL$190 from ZWL$15 candidates and $351 from $26 for Advanced Level candidates.
The examination fee for foreign candidates was hiked to $443 for an O’ Level subject.