Antony Chawagarira
HARARE — Schools across Zimbabwe will reopen for the Third Term on September 8, 2026, with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education calling for renewed commitment to teaching and learning while reminding schools to uphold learners’ rights.
In a press statement, the Education Ministry said the Third Term, which follows the August holidays, is among the busiest and most important periods on the school calendar.
“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education warmly welcomes back all pupils, teachers, School Heads, administrators, and other education personnel as schools reopen for the Third Term on the 8th of September 2026,” the Ministry said.
It urged education stakeholders to maintain a focus on providing quality, inclusive and equitable education while ensuring that teaching and learning remain central in every school.
The Ministry also stressed that every child has a right to access education, with special attention required for children with disabilities, vulnerable pupils, and children returning to Zimbabwe from outside the country.
“No eligible child should be denied the opportunity to attend school,” the Ministry said.
On school fees and levies, the Ministry appealed to parents and guardians to pay approved charges on or before the opening of schools to ensure the smooth running of schools and provision of essential educational services. It, however, emphasised that fees and levies must be paid in accordance with Zimbabwean fiscal and monetary laws and regulations.
Schools were also reminded to continue implementing the Heritage-Based Curriculum, which the Ministry said should promote the holistic development of learners through national values, heritage, skills, knowledge, and competencies.
“The curriculum must be implemented in a way that promotes the holistic development of pupils, national values, heritage, skills, knowledge, and competencies,” the statement said.
Schools were further urged to remain adequately focused on preparing candidates for ZIMSEC examinations and other approved national assessments.
The Third Term will also include end-of-year summative examinations, such as those for Grade 7, Ordinary Level, and Advanced Level candidates. The Ministry urged schools and examination centres to ensure that candidates are adequately prepared and supported to sit for their examinations successfully.
It said non-class examinations should not interfere with school-based end-of-year assessments and examinations.
“The preparation for and administration of examinations must take place in an environment that safeguards the integrity, credibility and smooth conduct of the ZIMSEC examinations,” the Ministry said.
During the term, the education sector will participate in several national and educational activities, including the commemoration of World Teachers’ Day, World Literacy Day and the National Annual Science, Sports and Arts Festival (NASAF), as well as other national and educational programmes.
Schools were encouraged to participate meaningfully in these activities without compromising teaching and learning.
“The protection of instructional time and the achievement of positive learning outcomes must remain paramount,” the Ministry said.
The Ministry also called on parents, guardians, schools, transport operators, and communities to work together to ensure the safe transportation of pupils to and from school. Parents were urged to ensure that vehicles used to transport pupils are roadworthy, registered, and not overloaded, while transport operators were reminded to observe all applicable road safety and traffic regulations.
Schools and parents were further encouraged to exercise due diligence in selecting and monitoring transport providers to minimise risks associated with road accidents and overloading.
The Ministry reiterated that parents and guardians are free to purchase uniforms and stationery wherever they find the items reasonably priced and in line with school specifications.
Headmasters and responsible authorities, including Government and non-Government schools, were warned against forcing parents to purchase uniforms and stationery exclusively from their schools.
The Ministry said such schools should “abide by this directive and desist from making it mandatory for parents to purchase school uniforms and stationery exclusively at their schools.”
The Ministry called on school authorities, teachers, parents, guardians, communities, development partners, civil society organisations, teacher unions and other stakeholders to collaborate towards a successful Third Term.
It urged pupils to return to school with renewed commitment, discipline and determination to learn, while teachers and administrators were encouraged to foster safe, inclusive, supportive and productive learning environments.
“As we begin this important term, let us ensure that every child is in school, every teacher is teaching, every school remains focused on quality teaching, meaningful learning and improved educational outcomes,” the Ministry said.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to fostering “inclusive, compliant, and stable learning environments,” saying adherence to the guidelines would help ensure a productive Third Term for all pupils.
