Top 50 Best ZIMSEC A-Level 2025 Schools In Manicaland Province Spark Debate

Best ZIMSEC A-Level 2025 Schools: Manicaland List Sparks Row

A new list of the Best ZIMSEC A-Level 2025 schools in Manicaland Province has ignited a major controversy. The rankings, intended to highlight top academic performers, have instead sparked a heated debate over their fairness and methodology, dividing parents, alumni, and education commentators online.

The list was championed by the Minister of State for Manicaland Province, Misheck Mugadza, in a social media post on 17 January 2026. He framed the results as a historic achievement for the region.

“Manicaland has once again raised the bar. Our province has broken its own ZIMSEC A-Level passes record, contributing to a national pass rate of 95.75%,” the Minister stated.

He specifically pointed to the schools that led the 2025 rankings.

“Special congratulations to St Augustine’s High School for producing four Science students with the maximum 35 points and First Class Academy (Mutare) for leading with 51 learners attaining 15 points or more.”

Full Ranking Of Manicaland’s Best ZIMSEC A-Level 2025 Schools

The published list, which aims to name the Best ZIMSEC A-Level 2025 institutions, ranks schools solely by the total number of candidates who scored 15 points or more in their final exams.

Position	School Name	District	Number of 15 Pointers
1	First Class Academy	Mutare	51
2	St Augustine’s High	Mutasa	50
3	St David’s Bonda Girls High	Mutasa	47
4	Kriste Mambo High	Makoni	40
5	Mt Selinda High	Chipinge	32
6	Gaza High	Chipinge	31
7	Sakubva 1 High	Mutare	29
8	St Faith High	Makoni	27
9	Makumbe High	Buhera	22
10	St Dominic’s High	Mutare	22
11	Chibuwe High	Chipinge	19
12	Nyashanu High	Buhera	17
13	Emmanuel High	Nyanga	16
14	Mutare Girls High	Mutare	14
14	Marist Brothers High	Nyanga	14
16	Mavhudzi High	Makoni	13
17	Vengere High	Makoni	12
17	Hartzel High	Mutare	12
19	High Achievers Academy	Chipinge	11
19	Elise Gledhill High	Mutare	11
19	First Class High	Mutare	11
22	Mutambara High	Chimanimani	10
22	Nyazura High	Makoni	10
24	St Joseph’s Mutare	Mutare	9
25	Murambinda Government High	Buhera	8
25	Alpha Institute	Mutare	8
25	Mutterere High	Mutasa	8
25	Pass At Once Academy	Mutasa	8
29	Biriri High	Chimanimani	7
29	Rusitu High	Chimanimani	7
29	Marange High	Mutare	7
32	Chikore High	Chipinge	6
32	Rimbi High	Chipinge	6
32	St Joseph’s Rusape	Makoni	6
32	St Mathias Tsonzo	Mutasa	6
36	Nyamauru High	Mutare	5
36	Pafiwa High	Mutasa	5
36	St Mary Magdelene High	Nyanga	5
39	Gideon Mhlanga High	Chipinge	4
39	Holy Ghost High	Mutare	4
39	Gatsi High	Mutasa	4
39	St Columbus High	Mutasa	4
39	Nyangani High	Nyanga	4
44	Checheche High	Chipinge	3
44	Jersey High	Chipinge	3
44	Dangamvura High	Mutare	3
44	Mutare Teachers College High	Mutare	3
44	St Noah High	Mutare	3

Public Backlash Over Ranking Methodology

Despite celebrating the Best ZIMSEC A-Level 2025 achievements, the list faced a swift backlash. Critics argue the methodology creates a distorted picture by ignoring the total number of students who sat for exams at each school.

Commentator Kuku Grace Murehwa articulated the core concern shared by many.

“I think using 15 points as an indicator of a good school can be misleading without considering factors such as the number of students per school and the spread of results…”

This criticism was widespread. User Farai Candy Gwiriko questioned the equity behind the results, linking performance to school type and cost.

“Zvimwe zvikoro maboarding schools ngaachingoite maday scholars cz fees dzinenge dzikubhadhara vabereki versus pass rate (Some boarding schools should just have day scholars because of the fees parents pay versus the pass rate…).”

Others noted the surprising omission of established schools. User John Godwill Makoni observed,

“Mutare Boys High ikati itayi mega zvema15 points, isu hatipo (Mutare Boys High is saying do your thing with these 15 points, we are not there).”

Calls For Investigation And System Critique

The debate expanded beyond methodology to include doubts about the results themselves and the values they promote.

User sbusiso mokoena made an unverified claim,

“Exam papers be leaking in those places.”

The significance of perfect scores was also debated. User Wamambo argued the system itself should be reviewed.

“Kuita 35 points is simply being misguided and lack of career guidance and we shouldn’t be celebrating but introspecting on our system (Achieving 35 points is simply being misguided and shows a lack of career guidance).”

Concerns about the pressure on students were also highlighted. User Tarisai Tari connected high performance to intensive supplementary teaching.

“Vana vari kupasa nema extra lesson avari kuitiswa kuma raini after school (The children are passing because of the extra lessons they are being given at home after school).”