The Education System

In Zimbabwe, the education system provides 4 years of the Infant education module comprising 2 years of Early Childhood Development (ECD) and the second 2 years of formal primary education, followed by 5 years of junior education module. After the 7 years the students sit for the National Grade 7 examinations.

There is a 4 year lower secondary education course that concludes with students taking “O” Level examinations, followed by 2 years of education in upper secondary after which the students sit for “A” Level examinations.

Some of the “O” Level graduates join training institutions such as polytechnics, technical colleges, teachers’ colleges and agricultural colleges and others, while others enter the job market. “A” Level graduates either enter into universities or training institutions. The Zimbabwe School Examination Council (ZIMSEC) sets all national examinations.

The Education Sector Strategic Plan 2016-2020

MoPSE has identified four pillars for the Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP) 2016-2020:

• Access for all which will include providing adequate infrastructure, opportunity for Non-Forma Education (NFE); early identification of children at risk of not entering the system, dropping out or falling behind and strategies to support those unable to meet fee and levy charges.
• Quality and relevant learning with the introduction of a competence-based curriculum that includes ICT, STEAM/STEM, Education for Sustainable Development (SED) and in later years a strong life skills component.
• Focus on learning outcomes to be achieved by building, developing, monitoring and upgrading the professional skills of those teachers already in the professional and by working with the Ministry of Higher and tertiary Education, Science, and technology Development to have responsive pre-service curricula.
• Strong leadership, management and monitoring providing efficient and effective service delivery within an institution that has the right structural framework.

Mission

To provide equitable, quality, inclusive,relevant and competence driven primary, secondary and non-formal education.

Vision

To be the leading provider of 21st century inclusive quality education for socio-economic transformation.

Values

Commitment, integrity, empathy, teamwork, accountability, transparency and good governance

Mandate

The mandate of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is to provide a wholesome education for all Zimbabweans. The education system should also be accessible, affordable and enable citizens to participate in the socio-economic transformation of the nation.