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

More than 40 students from Knowstics Academy who sat for Ordinary Level examinations in 2024 will not be able to join thousands of learners across the country who will start Lower Sixth classes this Monday, as they have not yet received their Cambridge Ordinary Level results.
School authorities allegedly embezzled over US$40,000 in examination fees.
While most learners studying at private schools received their results on time, these 40 students are still awaiting theirs as the British Council is reportedly demanding payment of the examination fees before releasing the results.
The government is trying to engage both parties to resolve the issue, but the process is hindered by the fact that both the school, currently under judicial management, and the examination board are private entities, making it difficult to find a mutually beneficial solution.
Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Torerai Moyo, told <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/knowstics-academy-learners-in-limbo-as-lower-sixth-classes-start/">The Herald</a> on Friday that if the dispute had been between ZIMSEC and the school, the ministry could have intervened more swiftly.
The British Council of Zimbabwe has said they will not release the results until the school pays the balance of US$22,000, citing a breach of contract.
When contacted for comment by The Herald on Sunday, the school’s corporate rescue practitioner, Bhudhama Chikamhi, said:
<blockquote>
There is no progress yet regarding the release of results; we are still where we were last time.
</blockquote>
However, Chikamhi said not all 40 students would be stranded, as some had also sat for the ZIMSEC O-level exams and could use those results, giving them alternative options to further their education.

More than 40 students from Knowstics Academy who took exams are still waiting for their results. The school did not pay exam fees, so the British Council won't release the results. The government is trying to help but it's hard because both the school and council are private. The council wants $22,000 before releasing results. Not all students are affected, some can use ZIMSEC results. The situation is not fixed yet.

40 Knowstics Academy Students In Limbo As Lower Sixth Classes Begin

The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Torerayi Moyo, said they have intervened to resolve a standoff between Knowstics Academy and the British Council Zimbabwe.
Over 40 students are in limbo because their Cambridge O-Level results were withheld due to the school’s former management failing to pay US$41,272 in exam fees.
With Lower Sixth classes starting next Monday, there are concerns these students might be disadvantaged without their results.
In an interview with <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/govt-to-rescue-knowstics-academy-learners/">The Herald</a>, Moyo said the government has stepped in to help the students. Said Moyo:
<blockquote>
At the moment, I am in contact with the judicial manager because the school was placed under judicial management after they filed for insolvency.
I have dispatched my officials to the school to talk to the judicial manager and also to talk to the directors of the school.
We also needed to engage the British Council and they came to my office two days ago and they were saying that they could release the results only if the directors of the school had paid. However, that disadvantages our students.
</blockquote>
Knowstics Academy O-Level candidates registered for an average of 10 subjects. Science subjects cost US$136 each, and other subjects cost US$122 each.
The results scandal emerged just a month after Knowstics Academy was placed under corporate rescue to improve its operations and reputation.
The school expects the results to be released before Monday. However, the British Council of Zimbabwe has asserted that they will not release the results until the school pays the remaining US$22,000, citing a breach of contract.
On Thursday, Chengetai Mujakachi, the regional head of communications for the British Council in Sub-Saharan Africa, said Knowstics Academy must pay the money. Said Mujakachi:
<blockquote>
Knowstics Academy is in breach of contract with the British Council and there is a total of US$22 000 in outstanding examination fees, which have not been paid by the school’s management to the British Council.
Despite several assurances from the corporate rescuer overseeing the school’s operations, full payment remains outstanding and no assurance of dates for payment has been received.
We continue to engage with the school’s corporate rescuer and are urging payment of the US$22 000 in fees owing.
</blockquote>
The school’s corporate rescue practitioner, Bhudhama Chikamhi, said they are still trying to negotiate for the release of the results. He said:
<blockquote>
Yes, indeed, several candidates can’t access their O-Level Cambridge results because the previous management appears to have embezzled exam fees amounting to over US$41 000, and the British Council is saying it will only release the results when they have been fully paid.
Unfortunately, around 40 students are still stranded, yet they are supposed to be preparing for the beginning of Lower Sixth classes next Monday, and their results are yet to be released.
</blockquote>

The government is helping students at Knowstics Academy whose exam results were not released because the school did not pay exam fees. The British Council wants the school to pay $22,000 before releasing the results. The school is under corporate rescue, and they are trying to negotiate for the results to be released. Over 40 students are affected, and there are concerns they might be disadvantaged for their Lower Sixth classes starting soon. The Minister of Education is involved in resolving the situation to help the students.

Govt Intervenes In Knowstics Academy Exam Fee Dispute

Several Cambridge O-Level candidates at Knowstics Academy in Mutasa had their results withheld because the school failed to pay US$22,000 in exam fees to the British Council.
Acting Manicaland Provincial Education Director (PED), Richard Gabaza confirmed the development to The Manica Post. He said a team has been deployed to investigate the matter.
A circular dated January 16, 2025, addressed to parents and stakeholders, revealed that Knowstics Academy’s corporate rescue practitioner, Bhudhama Chikamhi, initially believed the situation was under control, causing a delay in communication. Part of the circular reads:
<blockquote>
The purpose of this communique is to advise parents and stakeholders that British Council has not released the Form Four Cambridge results due to the fact that the former management of the school appear to have embezzled the examination fees. The examination fees paid by the parents were not remitted to the British Council.
I have been having meetings with the officials of British Council, and was hoping to resolve the matter so that they could release the results today (January 16) at 9am, but we ended up spending the entire day having discussions with the officials, and up to now (11pm), I am still waiting to get their final position regarding release of the results…
The reason for the delay in communicating this matter to the parents and stakeholders was due to the fact that I believed the matter was under control, given that I negotiated the release of the Advanced Level results.
The British Council released the A-Level results and was expecting that they were going to do the same with the O-Level results, especially after we had a long meeting with the officials, after which I subsequently effected a part payment of the outstanding amount.
</blockquote>
The British Council regional head of communications for Sub-Saharan Africa, Chengetai Mujakachi said the school owes the council US$22 000 in outstanding examination fees.

Cambridge O-Level results for students at Knowstics Academy were not given because school didn't pay exam fees of US$22,000. The school's rescue practitioner thought the situation was under control but it wasn't. The British Council didn't release the results because the school didn't pay the fees parents had given. The school was expecting results to be released, but it didn't happen. The British Council is owed US$22,000. Officials are investigating the matter to find a solution.

Cambridge Withholds O-Level Results After Knowstics Academy Fails To Pay Exam Fees

Knowstics Academy has been placed under corporate rescue, with Budhama Chikamhi appointed corporate rescue practitioner, reported <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200035480/top-private-school-put-under-corporate-rescue">NewsDay</a>.
Chikamhi’s appointment means he has replaced the school’s governing body in managing the institution.
A circular was issued on November 21, 2024, informing stakeholders about the corporate rescue. Said Chikamhi:
<blockquote>
One of the measures which was taken by the previous governing body of the school was to scrap Form Two such that students doing Form One would skip Form Two and go straight into Form Three.
I wish to advise that effective from January 2025, the school will re-introduce the Form Two stream in line with the Primary and Secondary Education ministry requirements…
The school used to offer commercial and arts subjects at Lower and Upper Six levels and these had been scrapped by the previous governing body.
Effective from January 2025, the school will be offering the subjects to provide students with appropriate choices in line with their career aspirations.
I have appointed a three-member technical committee which is chaired by Fredrick Hamadziripi, a renowned educationalist and current chairman of the Legal Undergraduate Programmes Department at the University of Zimbabwe.
</blockquote>
Chikamhi plans to work with stakeholders, such as banks and parents, to ensure the school operates smoothly.
The corporate rescue plan includes suspending legal actions, like court orders and asset seizures, to give the school time to recover.
The initiative aims to help the school regain stability and prevent it from being shut down.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Knowstics Academy, a private school, is in trouble and someone called Budhama Chikamhi is now in charge. The school will bring back Form Two classes and offer more subjects. Chikamhi will work with banks and parents to help the school. They want to stop any bad things happening to the school and help it get better. The plan is to make sure the school stays open and runs smoothly. This news was reported by NewsDay.

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