The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) has clarified that examination fees for the 2026 Grade 7, Ordinary Level and Advanced Level public examinations remain unchanged for normal school-going candidates.
In a statement, ZIMSEC said the unchanged fees apply to candidates at Government schools, private schools and colleges, dismissing reports suggesting a general increase in examination charges for the 2026 examination cycle.
ZIMSEC public relations manager, Ms Nicky Dhlamini, said parents and guardians should note that there has been no adjustment to fees for the normal examination sittings.
“The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council has released the June Ordinary and Advanced Level examination fees for 2026. Parents and guardians are implored to note that the fees have not been changed from previous years. They still remain the same,” said Ms Dhlamini.
She explained that the fees of US$24 per subject for Ordinary Level and US$48 per subject for Advanced Level apply specifically to the June examination session, which is reserved for candidates rewriting or supplementing subjects.
Ms Dhlamini said candidates writing the June examinations are not eligible for the Government’s 55 percent subsidy, as they would have already benefited from it during a previous sitting.
“June examinations are sat by candidates who are rewriting or supplementing their subjects, meaning they would have already benefited from the 55 percent Government subsidy during an earlier sitting. Therefore, for the June examinations, candidates do not qualify for the 55 percent subsidy and are required to pay full fees,” she said.
ZIMSEC stressed that normal candidates sitting for the main November examinations continue to benefit from the Government subsidy and are not affected by the June examination fee structure.
Meanwhile, Grade 7 examination fees for 2026 have been set at US$5 per term for candidates at Government schools, council schools and not-for-profit mission schools, while those at private schools and colleges will pay US$11.
The examinations body has urged parents, guardians and schools to familiarise themselves with the correct fee structures to avoid confusion and ensure smooth registration for the 2026 examinations.
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story by Jeremiah Gora
