Govt extends November Zimsec exam fee payment dead...

Govt extends November Zimsec exam fee payment deadline

**Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Torerai Moyo**

Zim Now Writer

Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Torerayi Moyo has confirmed the extension of the November 2024 Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council fee payment from March 25 to the first week of May, saying that government has heeded to the call by legislators, to give parents more time to raise funds.

This comes as the Zimbabwe School Examination Council had made March 25 as the deadline for the payment of examination fees, with legislators in Parliament pleading with the Education minister to extend the days to allow parents and guardians more time to gather funds.

Speaking to legislators in yesterday’s parliamentary session, Minister Moyo said that government heard the concerns raised by legislators that parents have failed to meet the initial deadline, hence consultations with Zimsec have yielded an extension for payments to the first week of May.

“The official deadline for the November examination is March 25, 2024. However, because of the request from Members of Parliament, I have consulted the board of Zimsec and we have agreed to extend the deadline up to the first week of May. If I am correct, it should be the Friday of that first week,” Minister Moyo said.

There have been anxiety and fears that several pupils would not be able to register as candidates due to failure to mobilise resources.

Earlier on, legislators heard that government had adequate social protection measures on students who were unable to pay tuition and examination fees and also for those at universities.

At primary and secondary level, government has introduced the Basic Education Assistance Module for disadvantaged learners.

It has unveiled loans for those at State tertiary institutions, administered by financial institutions. Furthermore, “work for tuition fees” programmes have been introduced where those students at universities and colleges unable to pay tuition fees should come forward and work at their institution in lieu of their tuition.

Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister, Professor Amon Murwira, also noted that the same problem is being faced by parents with children in tertiary institutions where they are not able to write examinations without paying tuition, adding that they should utilise financial loans from banking institutions.

The minister also encouraged students to use the work for fees programme at their respective institutions, noting that there has been low uptake of loans.

“On access to education, education is not free; we have to pay for it. The public has to pay for it or the State.

“However, we recognise that people are differently abled in terms of capacity to pay. We have several programmes for students that include ‘pay for fees’ and about 300 students have benefited.

“CBZ is also providing loans and we have put money in for that. It seems people do not want to borrow. There is a low uptake in taking this money,” Prof Murwira said.

Head of Government business in Parliament, Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi called on parents to adequately prepare for examination fees on time given that they would have been aware of the pending exams, while also adding that the ministry of education had done its job by plighting adverts to communicate to parents and guardians.

“The issue of exam fees has not suddenly become urgent because the deadline is tomorrow.

“The responsible ministry flighted adverts that people can pay in Zimbabwe dollars. Those with challenges must follow the channels and they will get help,” Ziyambi said.

Parents were also made aware by government that they are able to make payment of the examination fees in local currency at the prevailing interbank rate, However, those that can pay in forex are also able to do that.

“Fees are pegged in USD, however they are accepted in the currency which the parents/guardians are comfortable with,” Zimsec said.