The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) has released the 2024 Ordinary and Advanced level examination fees, with the government saying it will pay 55 percent of the total cost for all learners in public schools.
However, support applies to a maximum of seven O-level subjects and four A-level subjects, including communication skills. In the first financial prospectus for 2024, Ms Zipporah Muzenda, CFO of Zimsec, announced the fees.
“Following the approval of the 2024 Ordinary and Advanced Level examination fees, please note that the Government will subsidize the 2024 Ordinary and Advanced Level examination fees for candidates in public schools, local authority schools and mission schools. All candidates in private schools and colleges, including private candidates in public schools, will pay , the full cost of examination fees. In 2024, the full cost of Ordinary and Advanced level examinations will be US$24.00 and US$48.00 per subject respectively. “Therefore, candidates in public schools will pay 45 percent of the examination fees,” Ms Muzenda said in a statement. For each subject, the government will pay 55 percent of the exam fees.”
Students who wish to go beyond the subjects stipulated under the support will have to pay for the additional subjects in full. Zimsec said after the subsidy, O-level candidates in public schools will pay US$11.00 per subject, while candidates in private schools and colleges will pay US$24.00 per subject, while out-of-bounds candidates will pay US$56.00. The surcharge for O-level practical subjects has been pegged at US$11 for candidates in public schools while students in private schools and colleges will pay US$24.
Ms Muzenda also noted that any candidate wishing to change a subject they previously registered for would pay an additional US$11 for O level, while adding a new subject would result in a fine of US$29. Late entries will attract $48 per subject, and an additional fee of $48 will be charged for Physical Education, Building Technology and Design, Food Technology and Design, Home Management and Design, and Theater Arts. The central penalty for late submission of entries will result in a $100 fine.
The additional fee for the following advanced level practical materials is set at $96; Theater Arts, Food Technology and Design, Home Management and Design, Physical Education, Sports and Mass Performances, and Sports Science and Technology. The central penalty for late submission of entries is $150. The circular also highlighted that no individual candidate will be allowed to deposit their money into Zimsec account.
“Following the announcement of exam fees in US dollars with the option to pay in foreign and local currency, please note that parents and guardians who wish to pay exam fees in local currency must pay to their centers during the following periods: June 2024 Exam fees will be paid in ZWL during the period March 13 and March 20, 2024 at the rate prevailing on March 13, 2024, which will be sent to all centers.
“The deadline for payment and submission of proof of payment accompanied by entries for the June examinations is March 20, 2024.” Fees remained unchanged from last year. Sunday news
