The government has pledged to eliminate the zero per cent pass rate recorded by some schools at the Grade 7 level and is targetting a nearly 100 per cent national pass rate by 2030.
The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) released the 2024 Grade 7 results on Friday, showing a 49.01 per cent pass rate, a notable increase from last year’s 45.57 per cent.
Girls achieved an average pass rate of 53.68 per cent, while boys had a lower rate of 43.99 per cent.
However, some schools recorded zero pass rates, particularly in the Matabeleland region. For instance, three schools in Gwanda District—Zindele, Koodooval, and Driehoek—had zero pass rates.
In Insiza District, schools such as Mbembesi, Zhampale, Tshunkunyane, and Gwatemba also reported zero pass rates.
In Bulilima District, Ndutshwa, Phumuza, and Riverblock scored zero passes.
The same situation occurred in Matabeleland North, affecting schools like Somakantana, Hompane, and Makhasane, as well as others in Lupane, Hwange, Bubi, Tsholotsho, Binga, and Umguza Districts.
In response to questions from the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/government-vows-to-eliminate-zero-percent-grade-7-pass-rates-in-schools/">Chronicle</a> about addressing the zero pass rates in mostly rural schools, Director of Communications and Advocacy Taungana Ndoro said that the government plans to allocate more resources to these schools.
This includes providing textbooks, teaching materials, advanced technology, and building science laboratories. Said Ndoro:
<blockquote>
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is proud of the Grade 7 examination performance for 2024, which shows that fundamentally we are improving over the last four years.
In 2020 our pass rate was around 37 percent and now 2024 it’s at 49 percent, which is a phenomenal increase of about 12 percent over the last four years, which is very commendable.
We see ourselves going forward increasing our pass rate bridging the 50 percent mark by next year and in the foreseeable future up until 2030 when we should be almost 100 percent.
In terms of the pass rates, the zero percent pass rate, I am sure we have repeatedly said that this is soon going to be a thing of the past.
As I indicated the trends are showing that the pass rate has been increasing over the past four years. So, we know it will be extinct very soon because our strategies are working well.
</blockquote>
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The government wants all Grade 7 students to pass by 2030. This year, 49.01% passed, up from 45.57% last year. Girls did better than boys. Some schools in Matabeleland had zero pass rates. The government plans to help rural schools with more resources like books, technology, and labs. The goal is a 100% pass rate by 2030. The pass rate has been increasing over the years. Zero pass rates will soon be gone. The government's plan is working well.

Government Pledges To Eliminate Zero Per Cent Grade 7 Pass Rates By 2030

Teachers who marked the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) 2024 Grade 7 examinations have reportedly not received the ZiG component of their payment.
The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) revealed that teachers who were involved in the moderation of CALA in September have not been paid 60% of the ZiG component of their dues. ARTUZ said:
<blockquote>
Grade 7 results were released but the teacher remains unpaid. The teachers who conducted the moderation of CALA in September didn’t receive 60% of their payment, the ZiG component.
Travel and Subsistence, T&amp;S allowances for the markers were not fully paid, 60% ZiG component of T&amp;S still outstanding. 100% of the payment, (ZiG) for marking scripts is still to be paid.
</blockquote>
ARTUZ said that, traditionally, results are only released once the markers have been paid and accused the government of becoming notorious for failing to meet its contractual obligations.
The union has demanded the urgent payment of all outstanding allowances for teachers who ensured the timely evaluation and delivery of Grade 7 results.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Teachers who marked Grade 7 exams in Zimbabwe have not been fully paid. They are missing 60% of their money for marking the exams and for travel expenses. The union representing the teachers is upset because the government is not paying them on time. They say that traditionally, teachers are paid before the exam results are released. The union wants all the money owed to the teachers to be paid urgently. They want the government to keep their promises and pay the teachers what they deserve.

Grade 7 Markers Yet To Be Paid - ARTUZ

The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) has released the 2024 Grade 7 results. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education said the national pass rate was 49.01%. This marks a 3.44% improvement from 2023.
The ZIMSEC Results Portal will be accessible starting today, Friday, November 29, at 4 PM via <a href="http://zimsec.co.zw" rel="noopener" target="_new">http://zimsec.co.zw</a>. Results can be collected from regional offices beginning December 2.
Announcing the results, ZIMSEC chairperson Paul Mapfumo said a national pass rate of 49.1 percent was recorded, up from 45.57% last year. Said Mapfumo:
<blockquote>
A total of 387 429 candidates sat for one to six subjects during the 2024 Grade 7 examinations as compared to 372 603 candidates who sat for the same examination in 2023 showing a 3.98% increase in candidature.
The 2024 Grade 7 Examination session recorded a national pass rate of 49.01% for candidates who sat for six subjects. This is an increase of 3.44% in candidates’ performance from last year’s pass rate of 45.57%.
The increase in pass rate can be attributed to various interventions by the Ministry Primary and Secondary Education in terms of teaching and learning.
All subjects recorded pass rates of above 50% in 2024 with Shona and Physical Education &amp; / cording above 80% respectively as compared to other subjects.
Generally, there was an increase in pass rate in all the subjects except less than one percent decrease in Shona. Xhosa was examined for the first time in 2024 and recorded a pass rate of 72 percent.
Of the 387 429 candidates who sat for the 2024 Grade 7 examination, 199 939 were female. The pass rate for female candidates was 53.68% compared to 43, 99% of males.
In the 2023 examination, female candidates were again doing better than male candidates.
</blockquote>
In related news, the Government launched the e-enrolment platform on November 1, 2024, to streamline the allocation of Form One placements for the 2025 academic year.
The Electronic Ministry Application Platform (e-map) allows parents to secure boarding school placements, with the platform set to close on December 31.
Statistics indicate that approximately 400,000 learners sat for the 2024 Grade 7 exams across Zimbabwe.
In an interview with State media, Taungana Ndoro, the Director of Communication and Advocacy in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, advised parents and guardians to avoid being overly selective when choosing schools.
He said making such choices at the last minute can lead to complications, especially if their preferred schools do not have available spaces. Said Ndoro:
<blockquote>
Yes, boarding places have increased as we now have over 11,000 schools nationally. Parents that decline schools thinking their children will be selected at another preferred school usually only have themselves to blame, as boarding vacancies are not guaranteed everywhere because your child passed with flying colours.
Our clarion call is parents must take up the school that offers them a vacancy because if they decline, there are no guarantees of boarding vacancies from their first priority school.
</blockquote>
The e-map system allows parents to select up to five boarding schools where they wish their children to attend.
The platform was introduced in 2016 and was designed to promote transparency in the recruitment process for Form One learners into boarding schools.
Before that, some learners were unfairly excluded from enrolment. This was due to unscrupulous school heads who profited from conducting paid entrance tests for numerous students, despite having limited vacancies.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZIMSEC released Grade 7 results with a 49.01% pass rate, better than last year. Results can be seen online or picked up from December 2. A new online platform helps parents choose Form One placements for 2025. Over 400,000 students took the exams. Parents should not be too picky about schools, as places are not guaranteed, especially in boarding schools. The new system helps prevent unfair practices in school admissions.

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