Zimbabwe’s Government could extend examination fee subsidies to private schools if funding improves.
Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerayi Moyo said officials recognise the challenges facing learners outside public schools.
Some families choose private institutions because nearby Government schools cannot accommodate their children. Others lack access to public schools altogether.
Government reviews private school subsidy
Moyo addressed the issue during a recent question-and-answer session in the National Assembly.
St Mary’s MP Brighton Mazhindu (CCC) questioned why private school learners remained outside the subsidy programme.
Mazhindu argued that some families use private schools because public institutions lack sufficient capacity.
He also highlighted communities without public schools, leaving parents with limited education options.
Moyo explained that Government based the current policy on national priorities and available financial resources.
“It is the Ministry’s policy that all learners in the school system should be considered in all decision-making under the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education,” said Moyo.
However, he said financial constraints currently prevent the ministry from supporting private school examination fees.
Limited resources shape current policy
Moyo stressed that Government does not deliberately seek to exclude learners from its education policies.
“However, the ministry’s policy to exclude private school learners from subsidised ZIMSEC examination fees is primarily based on strategic priorities and limited fiscal resources.
“The Ministry acknowledges that infrastructure capacity deficits force some learners to attend private colleges.
He added that authorities could reconsider the subsidy once resources improve.
For now, the Government will continue directing examination fee support towards learners in public schools.
The post Govt Eyes ZIMSEC Exam Fee Subsidy Extension to Private Schools appeared first on iHarare News.
