Students who need to rewrite their examinations this June will face a hefty new financial penalty. The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) has officially confirmed that candidates sitting for the June 2026 Ordinary and Advanced Level examinations will pay double the previous fee per subject. This sharp increase is due to the specific removal of a government subsidy for this exam sitting.
In a subsequent explanation, ZIMSEC’s Public Relations Manager, Nicky Dhlamini, clarified the council’s position. Her statement was reported by The Herald on 23 January 2026.
Dhlamini directly linked the fee hike to the withdrawal of state support for the June session.
“June examinations are sat by candidates who are rewriting or supplementing their subjects, meaning they would have already benefited from the 55 percent Government subsidy during an earlier sitting. Therefore, for the June examinations, candidates do not qualify for the 55 percent subsidy and are required to pay full fees.”
She was keen to stress that the fundamental examination fee had not been raised, but rather the financial aid component had been stripped away for these specific candidates.
What about the challenges families face to send their children to school - challenges caused by ZANU - unemployment, poor transport, lack of electricity, poor feeding for children, inconsistent teaching by underpaid teachers, expensive school uniforms, lack of stationery and text books, no desks in classrooms, smelly toilets without water etc.
Children vending on street corners after school to supplement income at home.
Is it any wonder children fail exams - and misgovernance is what creates these challenges to parents and children alike.
