Primary and Secondary Education Minister Cain Mathema has said Grade 7 pupils who failed the 2020 public examinations will proceed to Form One as the examination is not that important.
Mathema told Parliament that the Grade 7 examination only serves to help parents and teachers to identify areas they can help pupils when they go to secondary. He said:
Zimbabweans need to know that the Grade 7 examination is not the old standard 6 certification which was a terminal examination that could give candidates/students avenues to professions.
The Grade 7 examination in its current form, simply directs candidates, parents, and teachers to areas where candidates need assistance in competency development and enhancement in their secondary school academic lives.
It is important to note that Grade 7 candidate performance has been erratic over a number of years. The year-on-year performance changes because of a variety of reasons which any academic is able to put forward.