The Zimbabwean government is considering reintroducing mid-year public examinations often written in June.
Authorities are reportedly finalising consultations to ascertain the value of recommencing the tests, The Sunday News reported citing Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education permanent secretary Mrs Tumisang Thabela.
She told the state-run publication in a recent interview:
We are thinking of bringing back June exams because, all along, Covid-19 had made it impossible to hold the exams, but we have said we want to try to resume the exams, if possible, either this year or next year.
Mrs Thabela also said schools were ready to open adding that a change in weather conditions was affecting preparations. She added:
We have warned our officers to exercise caution. We have also asked the boarders to wait a bit, if they think that it is not safe and parents not to take their children to school yet.
Otherwise, our children are eager to go back to school and we are also eager to go back and start work.
Mrs Thabela said consultation on the rollout of the State-funded education initiative was ongoing, with the programme set to commence when schools open.
She also said that the Ministry was allowed to recruit 7 000 teachers in 2023.
Mrs Thabela also said the government plans to construct more schools this year to address the education infrastructure deficit.