Minister condemns blocking of learners over hairstyles as rights violation

HARARE – The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Torerayi Moyo, has condemned the blocking of nine learners from sitting for their Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) examinations in Harare, after school authorities deemed their hairstyles “inappropriate.”

In a strongly worded statement, Moyo described the incident as a violation of the learners’ constitutional right to education and a direct breach of the Ministry’s policy on inclusive and non‑discriminatory access to examinations.

“Let me be unequivocally clear: public exams are sacrosanct and no amount of pupil indiscipline, unless life‑threatening, should bar anyone from accessing their constitutional right to education,” Moyo said.

He confirmed that the school head and director responsible for the unlawful exclusion had been arrested and were assisting law enforcement with investigations.

Moyo commended the swift action taken by authorities and outlined immediate steps to prevent similar incidents in future. These include:

• Issuing a directive to all schools reiterating the inviolability of examination access for registered candidates• Engaging school heads and administrators to reinforce professional conduct and adherence to Ministry guidelines• Providing support to affected learners and their families, including exploring avenues for them to sit missed examinations

“We urge all education stakeholders to prioritise the welfare and rights of learners above all else. Education is a fundamental right, and it is our collective duty to safeguard it,” Moyo added.