Deputy education minister clarifies Grade 7 examination fees issue

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION Paul Mavima has clarified the issue of the grade 7 examination fees being paid as at the time when the pupil is in grade 6 and completed at grade 7.

"Indeed, we have made arrangements for people to start paying the examination fees for learners for their Grade 7 examinations in Grade 6. We have even said those who prefer to start paying in Grade 5, they can do that," he said.

"The idea was to lessen the burden on the parents so that they do not find themselves paying the requisite $3 when the student is in Grade 7. They can pay a dollar per year until the student is ready to write the examination."

Mavima said he was happy to say that the response has been very good.

"A lot of parents have paid for their learners when they are in Grade 6 and that money is ring fenced in an account and only becomes payable to ZIMSEC as an examination fee in the year in which the student is going to write," he said.

"His question also says, we need to give out more information about it so that people are not confused about when the actual examination is going to take place. Again, it is a matter of just giving our information and publicizing to make sure that Grade 6 is not an examinable class."

Mpopioma Pelandaba MP Joseph Tshuma had asked for Mavima's ministry policy in terms of the Grade 7 examination fees payments?

"I am now meant to understand that parents are made to pay for Grade 7 examinations when a student is in Grade 6 and eventually pay it off when in Grade 7. Some parents do not understand that, they now think that a Grade 6 is now an examinable class. What is your policy in terms of the Grade 7 examination fees payment?" he said.