Plans to Scrap Grade 7 Exams
When enrolling them for Form 1, secondary schools can give them assessment tests.
Plans to Scrap Grade 7 Exams
In a development that has sparked different reactions in Zimbabwe, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerai Moyo has proposed a plan to abolish the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) Grade Seven examinations in line with international best practices and strengthening continuous assessment tests.
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He suggested that learners write their first public examinations at O-level.
Minister Moyo said this on the sidelines of the Bulawayo Provincial Taskforce on Drugs and Substance Abuse meeting on Sunday.
He said scrapping Grade Seven examinations will help reduce the chances of learners being exposed to societal ills.
In my personal opinion, it is important for us to eliminate Grade Seven examinations and continue with continuous assessment even at Grade Seven.
When they are transitioning to Form One, they can use their third-term report. When enrolling them for Form One, secondary schools can give them assessment tests.
Minister Moyo said some developed countries, which have scrapped Grade Seven examinations, are doing well.
We did benchmarking to Finland and Sweden when I was the chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee of Primary and Secondary Education and observed that they are progressing well. Educators just give assessments to their children from Grade One right up to Form Four.
They just write one public examination, which is Ordinary level and it has worked very well. I think we also need to consider that in Zimbabwe.
Plans to Scrap Grade 7 Exams
Minister Moyo said scrapping Grade Seven will address the problem of having pupils spending a lot of time out of school after finishing the examinations thus exposing them to drug and substance abuse.
Apart from drug and substance abuse, there is also a concern that some girls are falling pregnant after they complete writing Grade Seven examinations.
To minimise incidents of learners being exposed to societal vices, Minister Moyo said he has since instructed Grade Seven pupils to remain in class.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education last week announced that Grade Seven pupils will no longer close school after their examinations as was the case in the past, but will instead continue attending classes until the end of the school term in preparation for their transition to secondary school.
