by Shongedzai Mugwagwa

Government has with immediate effect cancelled the recently published 2020 examination fees reverting to the approved old 2015 fees, the Harare Post can report.

In a press statement released today by the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Cain Mathema, Government advised stakeholders and parents that further consultations will be made and therefore parents should pay the old fees.

“Following the publication of the 2020 public examination fees, it has been found necessary to carry out further consultations. While the examination fees that were published are based on the actual cost of each examination, the Ministry would like to inform parents and guardians that following further representations, the recently released circular on the 2020 examination fees has been cancelled with immediate effect,” reads the statement.

The increase in examination fees by the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) had sparked an outcry among parents; with most saying the hike will make education unaffordable to many.

The examination fees were increased to $190 from $15 for Ordinary Level candidates and $351 from $26 for Advanced Level candidates.

As an assurance, Minister Mathema further said parents should proceed to pay the old exam fees while public consultations regarding the new fees are carried out. He, however, advised that the deadlines for the payment of exam fees remain unchanged.

Closing dates for payments and submission of entries for June examinations is February 28, while the closing date for November is March 27.