Schools authorised to conduct holiday lessons

Mr Moses Mhike

Nyore Madzianike

Senior Reporter

THE Government has authorised schools to conduct vacation lessons for examination classes during the upcoming August holidays as part of efforts to enhance syllabus coverage and improve learner preparedness.

In a circular to school authorities, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education gave the green light for Grade 7, Form Four and Upper Six pupils to attend a supervised 10-day learning programme scheduled between 7 and 20 August. No school holiday learning is permitted after August 20.

The lessons are intended to provide focused academic support ahead of final examinations, in line with the Ministry’s strategic goal of improving learner outcomes.

“The Heritage-Based Curriculum, together with the preceding Competence-Based Curriculum, has transformed the role of teachers from being the prime source of information to being facilitators of independent study and self-led learning by each pupil.

“It is therefore important for schools to embrace blended teaching and learning approaches and emerging technologies to increase pupils’ independent study capacity, affording teachers more time to conduct research and keep up with modern teaching trends,” said Primary and Secondary Education Permanent Secretary Mr Moses Mhike.

Mr Mhike said primary schools will charge US$2 per learning area per Grade 7 pupil, or its equivalent bank rate in ZiG while secondary schools will charge US$3. Upper Six learners will pay US$5 per subject.

Boarders are required to pay an extra US$5 for their upkeep during their stay.

“While the above transformative actions are underway, it is recognised that schools face different challenges that may have impacted their syllabus coverage and required the organisation of holiday classes for examination cohorts.

“All must remain aware of the need to avoid the ever-increasing cost of teaching and learning for parents, especially those of disadvantaged pupils who might not otherwise receive additional support.

“Therefore, for the year 2026, authority is granted for schools to conduct vacation classes during the August holidays for the examination classes of Grade 7, Form Four(4) and Upper Six(6).

“This aims to support students’ success and reassure stakeholders of the Ministry’s commitment to quality education,” he said.

Mr Mhike said his Ministry was making strides to enhance foundational learning skills, digitise teaching and learning, improve the safety of pupils and staff at learning institutions, and promote parents’ active role in their children’s education.

“In this context, the traditional approach to vacation schools must align with the Ministry’s strategy to ensure the continuity of learning at all times, including in emergencies.

“Under this strategy, catch-up teaching and learning activities, clinical remediation, and strengthening of reading and writing skills have been carried out across all schools.

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