Traditionally, boarding schools administered their own
entrance tests to select Form 1 learners, a move which received a backlash from
parents over its costs as they criss-crossed the country in search of places
each year.
Government has since directed that only Grade Seven results
should be used where a test is required for selecting pupils into Form 1.
Speaking during the release of Grade Seven results at the
Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) head offices in Harare on Friday,
Mr Mhike said the online platform e-map is fully functional and will be used
for selection of learners.
“On the places availability for Form Ones, we had a
circular we issued out which is very clear that all boarding schools are going
to be getting the placement through e-map.
“The results have already been announced and Zimsec has
assured us that on Monday they will be available on our e-map so that heads can
then start doing the selections.”
“We hope the parents have also played their part in terms
of selecting the schools,” he said.
Mr Mhike said the ministry also issued a statement
regarding a potential shortage of boarding places as there are around 25 000
available yet almost 400 000 pupils sat for Grade Seven examinations.
“So, it means as a ministry we have got a long way to go in
terms of infrastructure development especially in our boarding schools.
Generally, the majority of parents are now preferring their kids to be in
boarding schools, but currently as a nation it is something that we need to be
able to look at and also avail those choices to our parents,” he said.
Mr Mhike took the opportunity to stress that the Grade
Seven results were the only tests for high school entrance and private tests
were illegal.
“The correct position for the entrance test is that they
are not legal, they are actually illegal,” he said.
As for next year’s fees, Mr Mhike said any increase should
be authorised by the Government after approval by a majority of parents.
“Every increase of fees must be approved by the ministry;
the approving committee goes through every request put by all schools.
“We look at affordability from parents mainly focusing on
civil servants pay cheques and we act without compromising the education system
in terms of its quality,” he said.
Zimsec Grade Seven results released last Friday have a 45,5
pass rate, significantly up from 40,7 last year, with girls on average doing
better than boys with a 49,56 percent pass rate compared to 41,21.
The examination board attributed the increased pass rate to
the resumption of normal classes after the Covid-19 era, along with the
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education’s continuing improvements, ensuring
more pupils received better teaching. Herald
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