BULAWAYO – The ZIMSEC June examinations for Ordinary Level and Advanced Level will be delayed by at least a month owing to the extended coronavirus lockdown, officials said on Sunday.
A decision on when the school term will open has been delayed until at least May 3 when the current lockdown measures are due to expire.
ZIMSEC board chairman Professor Eddie Mwenje said material had been printed in readiness for the exams, but the likely disruption to the opening of the second term meant that the exams had to be delayed.
“We advised ZIMSEC to consider pushing the exams back by a minimum two weeks and maximum of four weeks so that it does not clash with other lessons for the November examinations,” Mwenje said.
He said they were also reviewing whether to re-open the registration for the June examinations.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa will announce in early May whether the lockdown will be extended. Schools were due to open on May 6.
Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister Edgar Moyo told a newspaper on Sunday that the government had an arrangement with the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation which would see lessons being conducted through radio for both primary and secondary education classes.
“We’re not yet sure as of when the schools are going to open. That will be said by the President after consultations with the relevant stakeholders and in line with the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines,” Moyo said, according to The Sunday News.
“We, however, admit that a lot has been disturbed in our learning. As you’re aware, we closed schools early and we’re not yet sure of the dates of opening. We’re still under lockdown. We have examination classes and we’re just preparing ourselves for the realities that we are going to open schools one day.
“So, in that regard we have engaged ZBC and agreed to have lessons on radio for both primary and secondary classes.”
The coronavirus has killed four people and infected 31 in Zimbabwe, according to official data.
