The Zimbabwe School Examinations Board has opened a one-week window for parents and guardians to pay examination fees for the June 2024 Ordinary and Advanced level examinations in local currency at the prevailing interbank rate.
ZIMSEC said yesterday that those wishing to pay in local currency can do so from March 13 to 20, after which the grace period will end. This is a relief to many who are struggling to collect foreign currency to pay examination fees before the deadline.
In some higher education institutions, students have had to file a lawsuit against their colleges over payments in US dollars. The matter was decided in their favor.
Examination fees will be paid at the March 13 interbank rate of US$17,558 to US$1, to allow for uniform registration fees during the grace period.
“The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council would like to inform stakeholders, parents/guardians and candidates of the inter-bank interest rate that will be applied when paying the June 2024 Ordinary and Advanced level examination fees in Zimdollars,” Zimsec said in a statement.
The deadline to register for the June exams is May 28.
“The Interbank Offered Rate of March 13, 2024 will be used during this period to ensure that all candidates pay a uniform registration fee. The exchange rate to be applied for payments is US$17,558 to US$1,” the public notice said.
ZIMSEC said those wishing to pay the examination fees in foreign currency can do so until the registration closing dates. The seven-day grace period only applies to those paying in local currency.
“Fees are pegged to US dollars, however, they are accepted in the currency preferred by parents/guardians.
“Parents who wish to make payments in US dollars or rands may do so until the registration closing date. Those who wish to make payments in Zimdollars will use the rate stated here,” read the public notice.
ZIMSEC has set out the payment procedures, saying the fees will not be paid directly into its accounts but at the respective schools or centers where the students will sit for the examinations.
“Examination fees should not be paid directly into ZIMSEC accounts by individual parents. Candidates/parents must make payments to the school or registration center for forward transfer to ZIMSEC.
The O Level exam fee is US$24 per subject. There is a subsidy of $13 per subject from the government for public schools, local authority and not-for-profit mission schools, so parents only have to raise $11 per subject.
The A level fee is US$48 per subject, but again the government will pay a subsidy of US$26 per subject for these children in public schools, local authority schools and not-for-profit mission schools. Students of private schools, colleges and private scholarships pay the full amount. Announce
