The government has announced changes to the dates for the August 2024 holiday school classes. The new schedule will be from August 9 to August 22, instead of the previously announced August 19 to August 30, reported the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/government-changes-schools-closing-date-for-examination-classes/">Chronicle</a>.
This revised calendar means that when schools close for the Second Term on August 8, public examination-sitting classes – including Grade 7, Form 4, and Form 6 students – will continue with lessons until August 22.
The changes were confirmed by the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Mike Mhike, in a statement sent to educational authorities across the country.
According to Mhike, the new holiday school calendar will enable the Ministry to conduct more effective supervision and oversight of schools during this critical examination preparation period. He said:
<blockquote>
Following the release of the Secretary’s Circular Number 6 of 2024 on the above subject matter and the engagements that followed thereafter, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education informs that the Vacation School for August holidays will run from 9 August to 22 August for all schools. The timeframe of 19th to 30 August as given earlier, is cancelled.
The rest of the Secretary’s Circular Number 6 of 2024 content remains the same. The decision taken to this effect will allow Grade 7, Form Four and Upper Six pupils to continue with learning while the rest of the grades and forms close schools on the 8th of August 2024.
</blockquote>
Mhike also said that the latest decision will reduce the travel costs that boarders would have faced under the previous vacation school calendar.
He added that the new dates will enable the inspectorate to monitor vacation schools within a standardised timeframe for all institutions.
Mhike said the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education reserves the right to further revise this statement.
The fees for these vacation lessons were set at the following rates per subject (in US dollars): Grade 7 – $2, Form 4 – $3, and Form 6 – $5. Boarding students will be required to pay an extra $4 per day.
However, parents are allowed to pay in the currency of their choice.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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The government changed the dates for August holiday classes for Grade 7, Form 4, and Form 6 learners. Instead of August 19-30, classes will now be from August 9-22. This change will help the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education supervise exam preparation. The fees for these classes are $2 for Grade 7, $3 for Form 4, and $5 for Form 6. Boarding students will also pay extra. Parents can pay in any currency they prefer. This decision may be revised in the future.

Grade 7, Form 4 And Form 6 Learners To Close On 22 August

Teacher unions have said no law prohibits their members from conducting holiday lessons. This comes after the Government issued a warning of disciplinary measures for schools who defied the directive to refrain from organising vacation school during this April holiday, citing the need for learners to rest.
Across the country, several schools, including one administered by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), are reportedly conducting holiday lessons specifically for examination classes.
According to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200025663/govt-teachers-square-off-over-holiday-lessonsno-law-criminalises-the-act-teachers-argue">NewsDay</a>, ZRP Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga reportedly approved holiday lessons for the Zimbabwe Republic Police High School, which is located in Hatcliffe, Harare.
The school will be conducting holiday lessons starting from April 4 to 15, 2024 and also April 19 to 30, 2024.
The ZRP is charging US$100 for internal learners and US$159 for external learners.
In a circular dated March 25, 2024, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education’s permanent secretary banned schools from conducting lessons during the holiday because learning during the first term was uninterrupted.
Speaking to NewsDay, Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), secretary-general Raymond Majongwe said that extra lessons are good for learners. Said Majongwe:
<blockquote>
The most important question we are asking is: Why does the government want to criminalise good effort? No teacher is spending time with learners to dampen their performance. Extra lessons are in good intent. Which law criminalises teaching?
Teachers are professionals and they are practising what they are trained for. Have we seen soldiers and cops being penalised for offering their services privately? Why does the government hate teachers so much?
Government should tell us the law under which it is banning holiday lessons. We are ready to challenge whoever harasses teachers for practising their profession.
Has government been charged for failing to provide basics to schools as enshrined in the Constitution?
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe National Union of School Heads secretary-general Munyaradzi Majoni said the ban has only fuelled the “black market” for extra lessons. Said Majoni:
<blockquote>
We know that parents are not comfortable having their children who are candidates this year at home for 39 days and, hence, it is those same parents who choose to send their children to those backyard and unregistered private schools to access the necessary education which was banned on the official market.
As far as we know, no public school is involved in the holiday lessons business and so they will find nothing if they visit these schools.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA) secretary-general Goodwill Taderera:
<blockquote>
If any schools are conducting holiday lessons, it means they defied the government. But I don’t think there are public schools that defied the order.
Probably it’s the private schools or those unregistered schools that are in defiance. But our position is, if there is a circular from the ministry, then it should be adhered to.
</blockquote>
Primary and Secondary Education Ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro was quoted as saying that 0,001% of schools were in defiance of the government’s directive not to conduct holiday lessons.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

No Law Criminalises Holiday Lessons, Teachers Challenge Govt Ban

School authorities allowing extra lessons to be conducted at their institutions during this April holiday risk disciplinary action being taken against them.
This was said by Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MoPSE) communications and advocacy director, Taungana Ndoro, on Friday, April 12.
Posting on X, Ndoro said the ban on vacation school during this holiday is still in place, adding that school authorities should allow learners to rest. Said Ndoro:
<blockquote>
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education emphasizes compliance with the directive regarding Vacation School during the April holiday.
Schools that violate this directive may face appropriate disciplinary measures. It is crucial to prioritize the well-being and independent learning of pupils during this break.
</blockquote>
The Secretary for Primary and Secondary Education, Chris Mhike, issued the directive banning vacation school classes towards the end of the 2024 First Term. He said:
<blockquote>
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education acknowledges the conduct of teaching and learning in all schools which went seamlessly during the first term of the year, fully embracing the 56 days set aside for that process.
The dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment to educating and nurturing the young minds of our pupils have not gone unnoticed.
The creativity and passion brought about by all our teachers in the classrooms that made learning engaging, interactive and inspiring for our pupils is commended and the Ministry remains grateful.
The Ministry notes with appreciation the requests that have been received from some of its sectors to allow for the uptake of the Vacation School for examination classes of Grade 7, Ordinary and Advanced level during this April holiday.
Having consulted widely on the matter and taking cognisant of the fact that the school term had no disturbances at all to the teaching and learning programme, therefore, authority is NOT GRANTED that schools facilitate a Vacation School during the April school holidays for the Grade 7, Ordinary and Advanced level candidates, as well as for the non-examinations classes.
Pupils need this holiday break to rest and engage in independent learning where need be, including utilisation of the Zimbabwe Learning Passport amongst other alternative learning strategies.
We all look forward to the resumption of the second term set to begin on the 7th of May, 2024.
</blockquote>
However, a report by <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/schools-defy-govt-vacation-lessons-ban/">The Manica Post</a> on Friday indicated that several schools in Manicaland Province are conducting normal lessons in defiance of the government directive.
According to the report, vacation lessons are ongoing at schools such as Baring Primary School, Dangamvura Primary School, Murahwa Primary School and Rock of Ages.
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While some schools reportedly had Forms Four, Five and Six classes, others had the whole stream of learners in class for the usual day-to-day lessons.
Parents and guardians are being asked to pay US$1 per day per learner at primary school, and US$10 per subject for those in secondary schools.
Some of the private schools are charging as much as US$20 per subject for secondary school learners due to increased enrolment after some public schools heeded the Government directive.
An authority at a private school in Mutare who spoke to The Manica Post on condition of anonymity said they ignored the Government directive to prepare their learners for the forthcoming Cambridge examinations. 
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School Heads, Teachers Warned Over Holiday Lessons

Several schools in Manicaland Province have reportedly defied a Government directive not to have vacation school this holiday.
<a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/schools-defy-govt-vacation-lessons-ban/">The Manica Post</a> has established that several schools in the province are conducting normal lessons, despite the widely circulated directive by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to suspend lessons this April holiday.
According to the report, vacation lessons are ongoing at schools such as Baring Primary School, Dangamvura Primary School, Murahwa Primary School and Rock of Ages.
While some schools reportedly had Forms Four, Five and Six classes, others had the whole stream of learners in class for the usual day-to-day lessons.
Parents and guardians are being asked to pay US$1 per day per learner at primary school, and US$10 per subject for those in secondary schools.
Some of the private schools are charging as much as US$20 per subject for secondary school learners due to increased enrolment after some public schools heeded the Government directive.
An authority at a private school in Mutare who spoke to The Manica Post on condition of anonymity said they ignored the Government directive to prepare their learners for the forthcoming Cambridge examinations. Said the official:
<blockquote>
We find ourselves in a very difficult situation because we have Cambridge exams coming up on April 29, and for these kids not to attend classes, means they would have lost revision time. We have no option, but to offer these holiday lessons.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, Acting Manicaland Provincial Education Director (PED), Richard Gabaza said the Government directive applies to all schools, private or public. He said:
<blockquote>
Generally, yes, they (schools) took heed. Some even tried to apply to have vacation lessons, but the applications were turned down in line with the Government directive.
The directive applied to all schools, private or public. All schools operate under the Education Act, and everyone must abide by the statutes outlined in that Act.
</blockquote>
He said they will investigate the reports, and schools caught violating the directive will be penalised.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Schools Defy Government Vacation Lessons Ban

The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has written to some local authorities requesting free operating space for a new scheme that will see its members providing free holiday lessons this April.
According to <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/rural-teachers-offer-free-holiday-lessons-write-to-councils-requesting-vacant-space/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>, ARTUZ President Obert Masaraure expressed optimism despite the lack of responses to their requests. He believes that the councils, who were copied on the letters, will recognize the nobility of the proposed idea. Said Masaraure:
<blockquote>
There is no response received yet, but councils have an obligation to provide education as a service. The move by the government to ban holiday lessons in schools leaves councils as the only authority with the potential to serve the poor.
The letters are being distributed to all provincial capitals and local authorities. We have covered all provincial capitals so far.
</blockquote>
One of the letters addressed to a local authority by ARTUZ reads:
<blockquote>
ARTUZ kindly requests the free usage of any of your communal facilities such as municipal community halls, in conducting holiday lessons for students in your locality.
</blockquote>
He said rural district councils will also be receiving the letters.
This comes as the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education decided not to grant authority for Vacation School during the April holiday for Grade 7, ‘O’, and ‘A’ level candidates, as well as other non-exam classes.
In a statement released on Monday, March 25, the Ministry emphasized that pupils deserve a well-earned break for rest and independent learning.
The statement, which was signed by the Secretary for Primary and Secondary Education, Chris Mhike, was addressed to Chief Directors, Provincial Education Directors Directors, District Schools Inspectors, Heads of all Primary and Secondary Schools, National Association of Primary School Heads, National Association of Secondary School Heads, Teacher Organisations, Responsible Authorities, Association of Church Education Secretaries, Association of Trust Schools, and Independent Colleges Association.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Rural Teachers Resolve To Offer Free Holiday Lessons

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has decided not to grant authority for Vacation School during the upcoming April holiday for Grade 7, ‘O’, and ‘A’ level candidates, as well as other non-exam classes.
In a statement released on Monday, March 25, the Ministry emphasized that pupils deserve a well-earned break for rest and independent learning.
The statement, which was signed by the Secretary for Primary and Secondary Education, Chris Mhike, was addressed to Chief Directors, Provincial Education Directors Directors, District Schools Inspectors, Heads of all Primary and Secondary Schools, National Association of Primary School Heads, National Association of Secondary School Heads, Teacher Organisations, Responsible Authorities, Association of Church Education Secretaries, Association of Trust Schools, and  Independent Colleges Association. It reads:
<blockquote>
<h2>VACATION SCHOOL FOR GRADE 7, ‘O’ AND ‘A’ LEVEL CANDIDATES AND OTHER NON-EXAMINATION CLASSES FOR THE 2024 EDUCATION CYCLE.</h2>
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education acknowledges the conduct of teaching and learning in all schools which went seamlessly during the first term of the year, fully embracing the 56 days set aside for that process.
The dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment to educating and nurturing the young minds of our pupils have not gone unnoticed.
The creativity and passion brought about by all our teachers in the classrooms that made learning engaging, interactive and inspiring for our pupils is commended and the Ministry remains grateful.
The Ministry notes with appreciation the requests that have been received from some of its sectors to allow for the uptake of the Vacation School for examination classes of Grade 7, Ordinary and Advanced level during this April holiday.
Having consulted widely on the matter and taking cognisant of the fact that the school term had no disturbances at all to the teaching and learning programme, therefore, authority is NOT GRANTED that schools facilitate a Vacation School during the April school holidays for the Grade 7.
Ordinary and Advanced level candidates, as well as for the non-examinations classes.
Pupils need this holiday break to rest and engage in independent learning where need be, including utilisation of the Zimbabwe Learning Passport amongst other alternative learning strategies.
We all look forward to the resumption of the second term set to begin on the 7th of May, 2024.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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