New Rule Requires Social Work Graduates to Pass Registration Exam Before Practising
Starting this year, all new social work graduates in Zimbabwe will need to pass a registration examination before they can practice professionally, the Council of Social Workers has announced.
The move, effective 2025, comes as the country faces a steady outflow of social workers leaving immediately after graduation, mainly for the United Kingdom, where conditions are more attractive.
Social Work Graduates Required to Pass Registration Exam
The new requirement targets holders of a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Social Work, a Diploma in Social Work, or a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work. According to the council, the goal is to maintain professional standards in line with the Social Workers Act.
The first examination is scheduled for the last quarter of 2025. The council will release full details on the exam format, content, and application process via its website and social media platforms.
Graduates who completed their studies before 2024 but have not yet registered with the council must do so by October 31, 2025. Otherwise, they will be required to sit for the exam. The council urged all eligible graduates to prioritise registration to avoid delays or extra requirements.
“We urge all eligible social work graduates to prioritise their registration with the council to avoid delays and additional requirements,” the council said in a statement.
Professional Bodies Respond
The National Association of Social Workers Zimbabwe (NASWZ) said it is engaging both the council and the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare to discuss the new requirement. NASWZ publicity secretary Richard Kadyauta explained that efforts are underway to ensure the new examination rules are implemented fairly and effectively.
“Efforts are currently underway to engage the Council of Social Workers Zimbabwe and the ministry regarding mandatory registration examinations for social work graduates,” NASWZ publicity secretary Richard Kadyauta said.
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The post New Rule Requires Social Work Graduates to Pass Mandatory Registration Exam Before Practicing appeared first on iHarare News.
