Relief for barred O-Level candidates

Nine candidates from a Harare learning institution who were barred from sitting for a Zimsec Family and Religious Studies Ordinary Level examination due to their haircuts will not be disadvantaged, Government has confirmed. Instead, they will be assessed using the paper they had already written, in line with existing examination policies.

The issue came to light after the learners were blocked from writing the second paper of the exam over haircuts deemed inappropriate by school authorities. Cabinet subsequently received and deliberated on a report detailing the violation, expressing concern over the conduct of the school, which was found to have acted outside the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education's guidelines.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister Dr Torerayi Moyo said the decision ensures the candidates are not prejudiced.

"We do not have an explicit policy on haircuts. What we have is that learners must be smartly dressed and the haircut must resemble that," Dr Moyo said.

"The authorities that violated the fundamental right of students to education and access examinations — the headmaster and the director of the school — were both arrested.

"The learners will not write a new exam, but we are going to apply the gradation policy since they had already written another paper."

Family and Religious Studies consists of two papers, allowing examiners to grade the affected students based on the completed component.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere confirmed that Cabinet had discussed the matter and initiated corrective action.

"The learners were excluded on the grounds of turning up in haircuts which the authorities considered inappropriate," Dr Muswere said.

"Following a meeting with both the school authorities and parents or guardians of the affected learners, the Government noted with concern that the action taken by the school authorities was inconsistent with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education guidelines and the national regulations governing equitable access to education. Remedial action has been instituted."

Government reiterated its commitment to ensuring all learners have fair and equal access to education and examinations, warning institutions against imposing regulations that violate national policy.