Government has announced a new national school ranking and rewards programme that will see top-performing schools publicly recognised and awarded, as authorities seek to incentivise academic excellence amid persistent concerns over uneven education outcomes across the country.
Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Torerayi Moyo said the initiative will recognise the top 10 best-performing schools in each province, based on 2025 pass rates at Grade Seven, Ordinary Level and Advanced Level.
“I am pleased to announce a new national initiative aimed at promoting and rewarding academic excellence across our education system,” Moyo said, adding that the programme is intended to celebrate schools that have “consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to academic achievement and the holistic development of learners.”
The move comes at a time when Zimbabwe’s education sector is grappling with widening disparities in performance between urban and rural schools, resource constraints, and concerns over affordability, particularly at examination level.
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According to the minister, the awards will also extend beyond provincial rankings, with government set to identify and reward the top five best-performing schools nationally in the 2025 Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) and Cambridge examinations. The awards ceremony is scheduled for March 20, 2026.
“Such schools will serve as beacons of excellence and inspiration for others across the entire country, setting a benchmark for quality education and academic performance,” Moyo said.
The ministry framed the initiative as part of Zimbabwe’s broader commitments under Sustainable Development Goal 4, which calls for inclusive, equitable and quality education. Moyo said the recognition programme aligns with efforts to strengthen learning outcomes while promoting best practices within the school system.
However, the announcement also implicitly acknowledges fiscal pressures facing the education sector. The minister issued a public appeal for external support, inviting corporates, development partners and well-wishers to help fund the awards and incentives.
“We welcome sponsorships, awards, grants and any other forms of assistance in order to motivate our hard-working teachers and headmasters,” Moyo said, directing potential sponsors to engage the ministry through official channels.
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