Education in Zimbabwe
Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development (Zimbabwe) | |
---|---|
Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development (Zimbabwe) | Olivia Muchena |
National education budget (2013) | |
Budget | $750 million (public, all levels)[1] |
General details | |
Primary languages | Shona, Ndebele, English |
System type | State, private |
Established Initiated |
17 October 1979 4 May 1980 |
Public education in Zimbabwe was made free in 1980 and inequities from the existing colonial system lessened. Education was declared a basic human right by Robert Mugabe's incoming government and racial integration pursued.[2] However, since 1988, the government has steadily increased the charges attached to school enrollment until they now greatly exceed the real value of fees in 1980. In principle, all children in Zimbabwe have the right to education. However, both development levies and tuition fees must be paid. Tuition fees have historically been very low, though development levies have been impediments.[3] The majority of the wealthier portion of the population send their children to independent schools, while the government-run schools are attended by the poorer members of the black population.[4] The Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development of Zimbabwe maintains and operates the government schools but the fees charged by independent schools are regulated by the Cabinet of Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe leads Africa in having an adult literacy rate of approximately 90%,[5] which compares favourably to Tunisia at 87%.[6] The country's education system was once the most developed on the continent, although it continues to suffer from a contemporary decline in public funding linked to hyperinflation and economic mismanagement.[7] As early as 1967, some 91.5% of youths aged between 5 and 14 were already enrolled in schools.[8] By the 1990s, primary schooling was nearly universal and over half the population had completed a secondary education.[9] TIME magazine reported in 2008 that "in the mid-1990s there was a national O-level pass rate of 72 per cent....last year [2007] it crashed to 11 per cent".[10] This culminated in the cancelling of the school year in 2008. Zimbabwean teachers have gone on strike in recent years over low salaries, poor working conditions, political violence and election results, further aggravating the situation.[11]
UNICEF asserts that 94 percent of rural schools, serving the majority of the population were closed in 2009 and 66 of 70 schools abandoned. The attendance rates plummeted from over 80 percent to 20 percent.[12] Learning only resumed in urban cases where teachers’ salaries were covered in US dollars by parents, creating a widening gap between rural and urban schools, and further incensed [sic] by a mass fleeing of teachers to neighbouring countries.[13] Again, the author probably meant "increased", though the word used is nearly as relevant. Urban “type A” schools continue to be better equipped than their rural mission and government sponsored counterparts, causing discrepancies.
Economic downturn has caused numerous vulnerable schoolchildren to drop out over the years, though new programmes aim to rectify the situation. Recently, large investments in education have been provided by UNICEF, the international donor community and the Government of Zimbabwe, through the Educational Transition Fund (ETF) and The Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM). BEAM aims to offset costs for orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs). These funds together help combat problems associated with deteriorating buildings, lack of supplies and shortage of resources in general. UNICEF aims to supply each schoolchild with textbooks through BEAM and in 2011, for the first time in decades, around 13 million textbooks will be delivered to Zimbabwe’s primary schools made possible by donations from Scandinavian countries and Germany.[14]
Other challenges face the education sector in Zimbabwe, including having a lower proportion of female students, though The Education Act provides for equal access.[3] With limited resources, parents often choose to send the boy to school rather than the girl. “Hot-sitting” or “double sitting” is another common occurrence that masks the shortage of schools in the country as one group of students come in the morning and then another new group studies in the afternoon or evening.
School grades
Zimbabwe's education system consists of 7 years of primary, 6 years of high school before students can enter a university in country or abroad. The academic year in Zimbabwe runs from January to December, with three-month terms, broken up by one month holidays, with a total of 40 weeks of school per year. National examinations are written during the third term in November, with "O" level and "A" level subjects also offered in June. These are administered by the Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council.
'A' Level top 100 schools, 2015
Rank | School Name | # of Students | % Pass rate |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ST Faith's Secondary School | 99 | 100.00 |
2 | Nyanga High School | 67 | 100.00 |
2 | Goromonzi High School | 89 | 100.00 |
3 | ST Ignatius College | 74 | 100.00 |
4 | Serima Secondary School | 84 | 100.00 |
5 | ST Francis Xavier's Kutama | 83 | 100.00 |
6 | Monte Cassino Secondary School | 59 | 100.00 |
7 | Regina Mundi Secondary School | 99 | 100.00 |
8 | Mazowe High School | 50 | 100.00 |
9 | ST Johns Secondary School | 89 | 100.00 |
10 | Nyazura Adventist High | 61 | 100.00 |
11 | Kanongovere Secondary School | 25 | 100.00 |
12 | ST Davids Bonda Secondary School | 89 | 100.00 |
13 | ST Albert's Secondary School | 80 | 100.00 |
14 | Langham Secondary School | 37 | 100.00 |
15 | Kriste Mambo Secondary School | 91 | 100.00 |
16 | Chemhanza Secondary School | 51 | 100.00 |
17 | Mutema Secondary School | 21 | 100.00 |
18 | Pambe Secondary School | 26 | 100.00 |
19 | Muzondo High School | 32 | 100.00 |
20 | Kushingirira High School | 20 | 100.00 |
21 | Gokomere High School | 125 | 99.20 |
22 | | |||
23 | Pamushana Secondary School | 95 | 98.95 |
24 | ST Augustine's Penhalonga | 93 | 98.92 |
25 | Marange High School | 83 | 98.80 |
26 | Mutendi High School | 71 | 98.59 |
27 | Zimbabwe Republic Police | 67 | 98.51 |
28 | MT Selinda High School | 65 | 98.46 |
29 | Dadaya High School | 64 | 98.44 |
30 | Makumbe High School | 63 | 98.41 |
31 | Chibi High School | 60 | 98.33 |
32 | Sanyati Baptist Secondary School | 55 | 98.18 |
33 | Roosevelt Girls High School | 102 | 98.04 |
34 | ST Mark's Secondary School | 48 | 97.92 |
35 | Mpopoma High School | 138 | 97.83 |
36 | Rusununguko High School | 88 | 97.73 |
37 | Nemakonde High | 86 | 97.67 |
38 | Jichidza High School | 41 | 97.56 |
39 | Wadddilove High School | 81 | 97.53 |
40 | Murewa high School | 80 | 97.50 |
41 | Uzumba Secondary School | 40 | 97.50 |
42 | Howard High School | 75 | 97.33 |
43 | Zimuto Secondary School | 112 | 97.32 |
44 | Tapudzai Secondary School | 37 | 97.30 |
45 | Shungu High School | 71 | 97.18 |
46 | ST Michael's High School | 35 | 97.14 |
47 | Mufakose 1 High School | 139 | 97.12 |
48 | Mucheke No 2 Ndarama Secondary | 67 | 97.01 |
49 | Ngezi Secondary School | 66 | 96.97 |
50 | Hama Secondary School | 66 | 96.97 |
51 | ST Francis of Assisi High School | 64 | 96.88 |
52 | Marondera High School | 94 | 96.81 |
53 | Nyahuni Secondary School | 62 | 96.77 |
54 | Nagle House | 92 | 96.74 |
55 | Odzi High School | 30 | 96.67 |
56 | Mukore Secondary School | 30 | 96.67 |
57 | Bradley Secondary School | 58 | 96.55 |
58 | Gomorefu Secondary School | 28 | 96.43 |
59 | Tugwale Secondary School | 26 | 96.15 |
60 | Zengeza High School | 99 | 95.96 |
61 | ST Dominic's High School | 74 | 95.95 |
62 | Mutero High School | 49 | 95.92 |
63 | Nyashanu Secondary School | 72 | 95.83 |
64 | Queen Elizabeth School | 47 | 95.74 |
65 | Sandringham Secondary School | 90 | 95.56 |
66 | MT ST Mary's Secondary School | 45 | 95.56 |
67 | Mutare Girls High School | 45 | 95.56 |
68 | Pangai Secondary School | 22 | 95.45 |
69 | Cheziya Gokwe High School | 88 | 95.45 |
70 | Birivenge High School | 22 | 95.45 |
71 | ST Benedict's Secondary School | 43 | 95.35 |
72 | Magwenya Secondary School | 43 | 95.35 |
73 | Nyamuzuwe Secondary School | 64 | 96.31 |
74 | Makumbi High School | 85 | 96.29 |
75 | Chatikobo High School | 21 | 95.24 |
76 | Emmanuel Secondary School | 60 | 95.00 |
77 | Kudadisa Secondary School | 20 | 95.00 |
78 | Msengezi High School | 40 | 95.00 |
79 | Mweyamutsvene Sec School | 40 | 95.00 |
80 | Chemhondoro Secondary School | 60 | 95.00 |
81 | Mutonhori High School | 20 | 95.00 |
82 | Rushinga High School | 20 | 95.00 |
83 | Nyava High School | 20 | 95.00 |
84 | Presbyterian Secondary School | 39 | 94.87 |
85 | Colleen Bawn Secondary | 36 | 94.44 |
86 | Chipindura High School | 155 | 94.19 |
87 | ST Marys Secondary Sch | 86 | 94.19 |
88 | Dewure High School | 102 | 94.12 |
89 | Anderson Secondary Sch | 34 | 94.12 |
90 | Rusere High School | 34 | 94.12 |
91 | ST Anthony's Secondary School | 98 | 93.88 |
92 | Pumula High School | 49 | 93.88 |
93 | Highfiled High School | 112 | 93.75 |
94 | Chinhoyi High School | 125 | 93.60 |
95 | Berejena Secondary School | 61 | 93.44 |
96 | Loreto Secondary Sch | 76 | 93.42 |
97 | Moleli High Sch | 60 | 93.33 |
98 | Swazi Secondary Sch | 30 | 93.33 |
99 | ST Mary Magdalene's Secondary | 60 | 93.33 |
100 | Chiwara Secondary School | 30 | 93.33 |
'O' Level Top 100 schools, February 2014
Rank | School Name | # of Students | % Pass rate |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Monte Cassino Secondary School | 82 | 100.00 |
2 | Anderson Secondary School | 69 | 97.10 |
3 | Zimbabwe Republic Police | 117 | 96.58 |
4 | John Tallach Secondary School | 130 | 96.15 |
5 | Nyanga High School | 100 | 96.00 |
6 | St Ignatius College | 74 | 95.95 |
7 | Nyazura Adventist School | 149 | 94.63 |
8 | Regina Mundi Secondary School | 144 | 93.75 |
9 | St Dominics (Chishawasha) | 89 | 93.26 |
10 | Kriste Mambo Secondary School | 104 | 92.30 |
11 | Moleli High School | 117 | 92.30 |
12 | Langham Secondary School | 88 | 92.05 |
13 | St Faith's Secondary School | 124 | 91.94 |
14 | St Augustine's Penhalonga | 136 | 91.91 |
15 | Sandringham Secondary | 194 | 89.18 |
16 | Chikwingwizha Secondary School | 42 | 88.10 |
17 | Marist Brothers Secondary School | 126 | 87.30 |
18 | St Davids Bonda Secondary School | 196 | 86.73 |
19 | St Antony's High School | 185 | 86.49 |
20 | Alpha College | 42 | 85.71 |
21 | Ruya Adventist Secondary | 107 | 85.05 |
22 | Serima Secondary | 140 | 85.00 |
23 | Hama Secondary School | 88 | 84.09 |
24 | Goromonzi High School | 191 | 83.77 |
25 | St Francis of Assisi High School | 147 | 83.67 |
26 | St Francis Xavier's Kutama | 157 | 83.44 |
27 | Howard High School | 184 | 83.15 |
28 | Nyadire Secondary School | 128 | 82.81 |
29 | Bernard Mizeki College | 63 | 82.54 |
30 | Bradley Secondary School | 139 | 82.01 |
31 | MT ST Mary's Secondary School | 129 | 81.40 |
32 | St Dominic's High School | 260 | 81.15 |
33 | ST Columba's High School | 167 | 80.84 |
34 | Gokomere High School | 241 | 80.50 |
35 | Marange High School | 189 | 80.42 |
36 | Marondera High School | 166 | 79.52 |
37 | Hartzell High School | 174 | 79.31 |
38 | Shungu High School | 82 | 79.27 |
39 | Sanyati Baptist Secondary School | 151 | 78.81 |
40 | Pamushana Secondary School | 195 | 78.46 |
41 | Mazowe High School | 120 | 78.33 |
42 | Waddilove High School | 202 | 76.73 |
43 | Lundi Secondary School | 106 | 75.47 |
44 | ST Anne's Goto Secondary School | 98 | 74.49 |
45 | Mandedza High School | 133 | 74.44 |
46 | Rusununguko High School | 211 | 74.41 |
47 | Mukaro High School | 159 | 74.21 |
48 | Nyahuni (Makunde) Secondary school | 155 | 73.55 |
49 | Chibi High School | 184 | 72.83 |
50 | ST Patrick's Secondary School | 184 | 72.37 |
51 | Nhowe Secondary School | 130 | 72.31 |
52 | Zimuto Secondary School | 187 | 72.19 |
53 | Dadaya Secondary School | 150 | 72.00 |
54 | ST Albert's Secondary School | 133 | 71.43 |
55 | Berejena Secondary School | 103 | 70.87 |
56 | Makumbe High School | 113 | 70.80 |
57 | Maranatha Adventist Secondary School | 147 | 69.86 |
58 | Hanke Adventist Secondary School | 88 | 69.32 |
59 | Mutendi high School | 104 | 68.27 |
60 | Daramombe Secondary School | 153 | 67.97 |
61 | ST Peters (Mbare Secondary School | 78 | 67.95 |
62 | ST Paul's Musami | 177 | 67.80 |
63 | Nyashanu Secondary School | 152 | 67.76 |
64 | David Livingstone Secondary School | 104 | 67.31 |
65 | All Souls High School | 118 | 66.95 |
66 | Emmanuel Secondary School | 133 | 66.95 |
67 | Murewa High School | 266 | 66.92 |
68 | Usher Secondary School | 133 | 66.92 |
69 | Green Gables High School | 38 | 65.79 |
70 | Minda Secondary School | 97 | 64.95 |
71 | ST Johns Secondary School | 131 | 64.89 |
72 | Presbyterian Secondary School | 91 | 64.84 |
73 | Silveira Secondary School | 167 | 64.67 |
74 | Nagle House | 113 | 64.60 |
75 | Queen Elizabeth School | 175 | 62.86 |
76 | Holy Cross Secondary School | 102 | 62.75 |
77 | ST KIlian's Secondary School | 81 | 61.73 |
78 | Adventist Secondary School | 106 | 61.32 |
79 | Msthabezi Secondary School | 198 | 61.11 |
80 | Mutare Girls High School | 143 | 60.84 |
81 | ST Michaels' High School | 108 | 58.97 |
82 | Mt Selinda High School | 156 | 58.97 |
83 | St Benedict's Secondary School | 95 | 58.95 |
84 | St Joseph's | 151 | 58.94 |
85 | Makumbi High School | 177 | 58.76 |
86 | Kwenda Secondary School | 152 | 58.55 |
87 | Pakame Secondary School | 130 | 58.46 |
88 | Chindunduma No 2 Secondary | 119 | 57.98 |
89 | Loreto Secondary School | 130 | 57.69 |
90 | Msengezi High School | 143 | 57.34 |
91 | Thekwane High School | 126 | 57.14 |
92 | Chemhanza Secondary School | 140 | 57.14 |
93 | Mashoko Secondary School | 104 | 56.73 |
94 | Jameson High School | 120 | 56.67 |
95 | Ngezi Secondary | 203 | 56.65 |
96 | Inyathi Secondary | 87 | 56.32 |
97 | Lydia Chimonyo Secondary | 116 | 56.03 |
98 | St John's High School | 61 | 55.74 |
99 | Mucheke No 2 Ndarama School | 229 | 55.46 |
100 | St Mathias Tsonzo Secondary | 150 | 55.33 |
Extracurricular activities
A major characteristic of Zimbabwean schools is the high priority given to sports, clubs and activities by the community, the parents, the schools and the students themselves. Extracurricular activities are educational activities not falling within the scope of the regular curriculum but under the supervision of the school. These activities can extend to large amounts of time outside the normal school day; home-schooled students, however, are not normally allowed to participate. Student participation in sports programs, drill teams, bands, and spirit groups can amount to hours of practices and performances.
Normal Ages
Primary school (Grade 1) starts from age six: children applying for Grade 1 intake are supposed to be turning six before August of the previous year. Secondary school intake (Form 1) is on the basis of successful completion of Grade 7. Thus most children starting Form 1 are in the year when they turn 13 years old.
See also
- Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Zimbabwe
- National Council for Higher Education, Zimbabwe
- List of Schools in Zimbabwe
References
- ↑ Is Zimbabwe's education sector on the road to recovery?
- ↑ SACMEQ. Education in Zimbabwe. SACMEQ 2010>(http://www.sacmeq.org/education-zimbabwe.htm). Retrieved 13 September 2011
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 FMSI. Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the Republic of Zimbabwe. FMSI 2011
- ↑ Haru Mutasa (27 February 2010). Zimbabwe education system in crisis. Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
- ↑ CIA World Factbook
- ↑ Africa: Country Tops Africa's Literacy Rate
- ↑ ZIMBABWE: Rural education falls victim to economic decline
- ↑ Sparrow, Gerald. Rhodesia in Rebellion. Knightly Vernon Publishers 1967. OCLC 254943931. p 41.
- ↑ Brooks World Poverty Institute. Moving forward in Zimbabwe: Reducing poverty and promoting growth, Ch. 6: Education. Brooks World Poverty Institute 2009, p.73>(http://www.kubatana.net/html/archive/povall/091211bwpi.asp?sector=migr&year=2009&range_start=1). Retrieved 13 September 2011
- ↑ Jan Raath. Zimbabwe chaos wipes out education for 4.5 million pupils. Times Online 2008>(http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/africa/article4902920.ece). Retrieved 13 September 2011
- ↑ Stanley Kwenda. Zimbabwe’s School System Crumbles. IPS 2008>(http://ipsnews.net/africa/nota.asp?idnews=44756). Retrieved 13 September 2011
- ↑ UNICEF. Zimbabwe education crisis worsens. UNICEF 2009>(http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/media_47915.html)
- ↑ Embassy of the United States, Harare. Education in Zimbabwe. US Embassy in Harare 2008>(http://harare.usembassy.gov/zimbabwe_educational_profile.html). Retrieved 13 September 2011
- ↑ VOA News. Thirteen million text books for Zimbabwe primary schools. Africa: The Good News 2011>(http://www.africagoodnews.com/development/education/2379-thirteen-million-text-books-for-zimbabwe-primary-schools.html). Retrieved 13 September 2011
External links
- Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education
- Education Statistics and Quality of Education in Zimbabwe, Southern and Eastern Africa Consortium for Monitoring Educational Quality (SACMEQ)
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