Zimbabwe, Cambridge clash over heritage-based curriculum

A dispute has erupted between the Zimbabwean government and Cambridge University Press & Assessment over the implementation of the country's Heritage-Based Curriculum (HBC), creating uncertainty for schools, parents and learners about the future role of international qualifications in Zimbabwe's education system.

The disagreement centres on whether learners will be allowed to choose between the Heritage-Based Curriculum and international curricula, or whether the government's new curriculum will be compulsory for all pupils.

The controversy was triggered by a statement issued by Cambridge on June 15 following engagements with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council, school associations and other stakeholders.

In its statement, Cambridge said discussions with government officials had clarified that learners would continue to have a choice of curriculum and would not be required to pursue both local and international learning programmes.

"Through these discussions, the ministry clarified that learners will continue to have a choice of curriculum and will not be expected to take both local and international curricula," said Louise Hendoy.

Cambridge further indicated that it would work with ZIMSEC on a structured review of the Heritage-Based Curriculum framework.

However, the government swiftly rejected that interpretation, insisting that the Heritage-Based Curriculum remains the mandatory national curriculum for all learners in Zimbabwe.

Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education spokesperson Taungana Ndoro described Cambridge's position as inaccurate and misleading.

"There is no choice of curriculum. The Heritage-Based Curriculum is mandatory for all pupils in Zimbabwe. This position has not changed and will not be altered by any engagements with external examination bodies," Ndoro said.

He stressed that the government's policy remains unchanged and that all learners will be required to follow the Heritage-Based Curriculum regardless of whether they pursue additional international qualifications.

According to the ministry, the first national examinations under the Heritage-Based Curriculum will be administered in 2028, while ZIMSEC is expected to become the sole examining authority for all national examinations from next year.

Although the government ruled out banning Cambridge qualifications, it clarified that international examinations would only be recognised as supplementary credentials.

"We are not banning Cambridge or any other international examination board. Pupils may voluntarily sit for Cambridge examinations as an additional qualification, a supplementary one, but this does not replace or exempt them from the mandatory HBC and ZIMSEC-administered national examinations," Ndoro said.

The ministry accused Cambridge of creating confusion by suggesting that learners could choose between curricula.

"Any suggestion that pupils have a choice between curricula is incorrect and misleading. Cambridge's statement does not reflect the policy direction of the government of Zimbabwe," he said.

The dispute comes at a critical stage in Zimbabwe's education reforms, as authorities push ahead with the Heritage-Based Curriculum, which is designed to align learning with the country's cultural heritage, national development priorities and industrialisation agenda.

The differing interpretations by government and Cambridge have raised questions among schools and parents about how the transition will be implemented and how international qualifications will coexist with the new national curriculum framework.

With the first Heritage-Based Curriculum examinations scheduled for 2028, education stakeholders are expected to seek further clarification from both government and examination authorities to avoid uncertainty for learners and schools.