Forty learners from Knowstics Academy, whose results were withheld by the British Council due to the institution’s failure to pay outstanding examination fees, have finally received their Cambridge Ordinary Level results.
The examination results were withheld after the previous administration failed to remit US$22,000 in exam fees to the British Council.
Chengetai Mujakachi, the British Council’s regional head of communications for Sub-Saharan Africa, confirmed the development to <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/new-knowstics-academy-learners-finally-get-cambridge-o-level-results/">The Manica Post</a>. Said Mujakachi:
<blockquote>
We had a productive meeting last Thursday at our offices in Harare, which included the Corporate Rescuer (representing the school), a representative of the parents affected, and our legal teams.
Based on a revised written assurance and a schedule of payment for the settlement of the debt, we have decided to release all pending results.
</blockquote>

Pindula News

Forty students from Knowstics Academy finally received their Cambridge O-Level exam results after they were initially withheld by the British Council due to unpaid fees. The school owed $22,000 in exam fees. The British Council confirmed that after a meeting with the school's Corporate Rescuer and parents, they decided to release the results based on a new payment plan. Now, the students can see how they performed in the exams.

Knowstics Academy Students Finally Receive Withheld Cambridge O-Level Exam Results

Divine Samuriwo, a 12-year-old boy, skipped Form One after the first term and started homeschooling. 
Just seven months later, he took the Cambridge Ordinary Level exams and passed four out of six subjects.
As reported by <a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/genius-12-has-4-o-level-passes-he-dropped-from-his-form-one-class-to-write-o-level-exams-a-few-months-later/">H-Metro</a>, Divine, who will turn 13 this Saturday, skipped Form One after just one term and took the exams in November.
He scored an A in Commerce, Bs in Business Studies, Economics, and Accounts, a D in English, and an E in Maths.
He dreams of becoming a chartered accountant and is currently studying for an ACCA diploma while also doing his Advanced Level studies. Divine said:
<blockquote>
I decided to skip Form One after realising that the route was too long to get to Form Four. With the support of my parents, I then started homeschooling, preparing for the O-Level exams.
I didn’t want some of the subjects which were not in line with my dream of becoming a Chartered Accountant. With the support of my father, mother, teacher, Lesley and Banda, it went very well. I also used video learning as well as using the internet.
To imagine sitting for four years, I said no. Maud (Chifamba) inspired me and I had to invest in homeschooling which paid off.
It was difficult in the first place but, with the support I got I pushed. I only failed Maths and English.
I read six hours per day and I have time to socialise but not as the other kids. I want to be my own boss at some stage after I gain experience at an audit firm.
</blockquote>
Maud Chifamba is a Zimbabwean accountant and academic prodigy who made headlines by becoming the youngest university student in Africa at the age of 14.
Meanwhile, Divine’s mother Pauline, who is a marketing expert, said:
<blockquote>
He comes from a pool of academics and we teased him to also follow in the footsteps of people like Maud Chifamba.
We had to push him to work on his own so that he also became someone who didn’t have to wait for four years to finish Ordinary Level.
He is a resourceful person, he reads a lot of stuff and we support him with more content.
We are happy that he passed because to us it was not a loss since we wanted him to just try it.
</blockquote>
His father Denmark, who is an accountant and a former banker, said:
<blockquote>
He believed in himself after offering him that he could do this. As parents, we saw potential in him and helped him pursue what he wanted.
After the first term, we advised him to drop out of Form One since he was complaining that the subjects were not inclined to his dream.
He is studying for a diploma in ACCA as well as simultaneously doing his A-Level.
We have a culture of reading in our family and he picked it from there but we want him to pursue his dreams with our support.
We believe in knowledge rather than results and I am happy that he managed to score this big. It means he can do better if he reads again.
</blockquote>

Summary:

A 12-year-old Zimbabwean boy named Divine skipped Form One and homeschooled to take Cambridge O-Level exams. He passed four subjects, aiming to be a chartered accountant. With support from his parents and inspiration from a young academic prodigy, he worked hard. His parents, both in the academic field, encouraged his studies. Divine's father gave him the confidence to pursue his dreams. The family values reading and knowledge over results, and they are proud of Divine's achievements, believing he can do even better with continued effort.

12-Year-Old Zimbabwean Boy Passes Four Cambridge O-Level Subjects

Nyanga South legislator Supa Mandiwanzira (ZANU PF) has proposed that the Zimbabwean government tax Cambridge examination fees, arguing that Cambridge University profits without investing in the country, <a href="https://openparly.com/zimbabwe-should-tax-cambridge-examination-fees-mandiwanzira/">reported OpenParly</a>.
Zimbabwe relied on Cambridge University for national examinations from independence until around 1995, when the Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (ZIMSEC) took over.
Despite ZIMSEC’s establishment, many Zimbabwean parents still prefer Cambridge examinations to improve their children’s prospects for international education.
Mandiwanzira, also a ZANU PF Politburo member, said Cambridge University has earned billions of dollars from Zimbabwean students over the years and should be taxed.
During the 2025 National Budget debate in the National Assembly, Mandiwanzira argued that taxing Cambridge could generate revenue for the Treasury, reducing the need to increase the budget for the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science, and Technology Development. He said:
<blockquote>
Since independence in 1980 until now, Zimbabweans have paid examination fees of varying amounts in USD to Cambridge University.
I have not heard in my entire life where Cambridge University has assisted in building schools here because they feed out of the investment by the government.
I think we need to find a way of funding our education ministries from funds that have gone to Cambridge.
We need to find a way either to tax these funds or prick their conscience to say you have lured billions of dollars since independence in 1980.
I have not heard where Cambridge University has offered scholarships to Zimbabweans because they benefit by getting exam fees from thousands of Zimbabweans.
I am sure if we do calculations of how much has been paid in examination fees to Cambridge University in the UK, it will run into billions of USD. So, my suggestion is perhaps in the taxing…
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A lawmaker in Zimbabwe wants to tax the fees students pay for Cambridge exams because he thinks Cambridge University makes a lot of money from Zimbabwe but doesn't give back to the country. Many parents prefer Cambridge exams for their children. The lawmaker says taxing Cambridge could give the government more money for education. He thinks Cambridge has made billions from Zimbabwean students since 1980. He wants to find a way to tax that money or convince Cambridge to help Zimbabwe more. The government used to rely on Cambridge for exams, but now uses ZIMSEC.

ZANU PF MP Proposes Tax On Cambridge Exam Fees

A Form One learner at Atlantic Academy in Harare, Shalom Zingwe, is set to proceed to Form Five after passing the Cambridge Ordinary Level 2023 examinations aged only 14.
Shalom scored three A grades in Computer Science, Accounting and Economics with Bs in Mathematics, Geography and Business Studies.
Atlantic Academy director, Patience Mufokozana said after consultation with her parents, Shalom would be proceeding to Lower Sixth from Form One. She told <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/form-one-girl-14-passes-o-level-exams/">The Herald</a>:
<blockquote>
We agreed that she should proceed to Lower Sixth Form because she passed very well.
Normally, learners take these exams aged 16 or 17 and it’s quite remarkable that she achieved this at only 14.
</blockquote>
Another learner from the school, Kudzaishe Mhaka, took the exams aged only 15 and scored seven A grades in Chemistry, Physics, Accounting, Computer Science, Mathematics, Biology and Geography.
Overall, the school recorded a 95 per cent pass rate.
Meanwhile, Champion College, also in Harare, recorded a 100 per cent pass rate.
The school awarded scholarships to two fraternal twins, Patience (female) and Prosper (male) Muza who excelled in the 2023 Cambridge O Level examinations by scoring distinctions in all their science subjects.
Prosper recorded seven A grades in Mathematics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics, Biology, Accounting, and Geography while Patience scored A grades in Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Geography.
Some Zimbabwean learners, especially those enrolled at private colleges, prefer to sit for Cambridge examinations rather than those administered by the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) because the former qualifications are accepted and valued by many leading universities and employers around the world.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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