Torerayi Moyo announces heritage-based curriculum rollout

Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerayi Moyo says schools across Zimbabwe are fully prepared for the reopening of the second term on Tuesday, with staffing, learning materials and infrastructure readiness largely in place.

In an interview, Minister Moyo said all 10 provinces have confirmed readiness following coordination with the Public Service Commission, Treasury, and development partners.

"Our overall assessment across all 10 provinces is that schools are adequately prepared," he said, adding that teacher deployments had been completed and textbook distribution finalised during the holidays.

He said district teams had verified that water, sanitation and hygiene facilities were functional, while emergency repairs had been carried out in schools affected by past cyclone damage.

Moyo said the ministry's priorities for the second term include learning recovery programmes, expanded STEM education, digital literacy and inclusive education for learners with disabilities.

He also confirmed that monitoring teams will be deployed nationwide to assess compliance with regulations on teacher attendance, school fees and learning time.

"We are deploying integrated monitoring teams to audit compliance on attendance, fees regulations and use of learning time," he said.

The minister added that the government is considering a biometric-based teacher attendance system to improve accountability and reduce absenteeism.

Moyo reiterated a "zero tolerance" stance on schools charging fees above approved levels or refusing learners due to non-payment.

He said schools found in violation of regulations face disciplinary action, including possible deregistration.

On unregistered schools, he said a nationwide audit is underway to regularise compliant institutions while shutting down those that fail to meet minimum standards.

The minister acknowledged ongoing teacher shortages in rural and fast-growing urban areas, but said government has approved the recruitment of 2 500 teachers this year, with priority deployment starting this term.

Moyo confirmed that all schools are required to accept the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency as legal tender for school fees, and compliance will be monitored through audits and reporting systems.

He also said the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council ZIMSEC is fully prepared for mid-year examinations, with question papers secured and logistics in place.

One of the most significant policy announcements is the directive making the Heritage-Based Curriculum compulsory from 2027.

Moyo said all schools — including private institutions — will be required to offer the ZIMSEC pathway under the new framework.

He said the policy is anchored in the Education Act and aligned with national development goals under Vision 2030.

"We have a Cabinet-approved directive that all schools must offer ZIMSEC examinations from 2027," he said.

He added that schools may still offer international examinations such as Cambridge, but only if they also register for ZIMSEC and obtain ministry approval.

Moyo said the curriculum emphasises indigenous languages, history, technical subjects and vocational training to support industrialisation and innovation.

The minister said the computerisation programme is advancing, with thousands of rural schools now connected to the internet under national broadband initiatives, including satellite connectivity.

He also said over 8 000 rural schools have been linked to internet services, with further expansion planned.

Moyo confirmed expansion of the school feeding programme in drought-prone areas, supported by international partners and local suppliers.

He also outlined plans for new school construction in rapidly growing urban and rural settlements, using a mix of government funding, local authorities and public-private partnerships.

Curriculum identity and school names

The minister said government is also reviewing colonial-era school names, but stressed that the process will be consultative and phased, involving communities, alumni and stakeholders.