Newsday
By Staff Writer
July 28 2010
The delicate inclusive government has made a sympathetic undertaking to pay examination fees for at least 15 000 underprivileged students countrywide who failed to register for the forthcoming Ordinary and Advanced Level final exams with the Zimbabwe Examination School Council (Zimsec).
The compassionate gesture follows failure by thousands of students to raise the required examination fees. Reports however indicate that many had since dropped out of school when it became apparent they would be unable to sit for examinations this year.
Thousands of prospective candidates have failed to raise the required $10 and $20 fees per subject at Ordinary and Advanced Level respectively with parents arguing the figures were astronomical.
Education, Sport, Arts and Culture minister, David Coltart, said government was aware there were many children who failed to register as a result of poverty and schools were tasked to come up with a list of deserving beneficiaries.
“As government we have decided to assist at least
15 000 students who have failed to register to sit for their examinations as a result of the economic situation.
“Government has since asked school heads to compile lists of candidates that need support,†he said.
The underprivileged candidates are being accommodated through the $1,8 million fund set aside for the Basic Education Assistance Model (Beam).
The sharp economic decline over the past 10 years characterised by hyperinflation adversely affected the education sector.