By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Harare — The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has released official instructions for the upcoming vacation school programme set to take place from 8 to 21 August 2025, aiming to support learners in final-year classes to better prepare for their national examinations.
Permanent Secretary Moses Mhike, in a circular sent to provincial and district education offices, stated that the programme targets Grade 7, Form 4, and Upper Sixth students who will be sitting for national exams later this year.
“The holiday lessons will run between 8 and 21 August. Schools must observe Heroes Day and Defence Forces Day and not hold lessons on these national holidays,” Mhike explained.
He noted that schools could schedule sessions on Saturdays, Sundays, or both to complete the required ten days within the authorised period. No vacation school activities will be allowed after 21 August.
The Ministry also established a fee structure for the programme: primary schools can charge up to US$2, while fees for secondary schools range from US$3 to US$5. Boarding schools may add an extra US$5 to cover accommodation costs. To maintain a focused learning environment, students must attend in full school uniform, and teachers are expected to wear professional attire.
To ensure the quality and consistency of the programme, school inspectors and district literacy coordinators will oversee implementation nationwide. Their role will be to verify that schools adhere to the set standards and focus on exam preparation.
“The purpose of this programme is to help learners grasp important syllabus topics and provide them with targeted support before the exams. Vacation schools must focus on structured revision and academic improvement,” Mhike emphasized.
School leaders have been urged to organise all aspects of the programme from timetabling to teacher assignments in line with the goal of enhancing exam performance.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to support the programme by ensuring their children attend regularly and come prepared to engage fully in the learning sessions.
This initiative forms part of the government’s broader efforts to improve educational outcomes and equip students with the necessary skills for success in national examinations.