…pledges boarding scholarships for ‘O’ Level top vulnerable learners
By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
A total of 2 077 Grade Seven candidates in Beitbridge East Constituency have received basic examination stationery ahead of the 2026 ZIMSEC examinations, which begin on Monday.
The support, provided through the office of Beitbridge East legislator and Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe, is aimed at ensuring that learners are not prevented from sitting for examinations because of a lack of basic stationery.
The examinations are scheduled to run from 21 September to 6 October 2026.
According to an update issued by Nguluvhe on his official WhatsApp channel on Friday, each candidate received a pencil, ruler and ballpoint pen.
“All the stationery has been handed over to the District Inspector of Schools (DIS) for onward distribution to school heads,” Nguluvhe said.
The intervention comes as parents and guardians prepare for the Grade Seven examinations, which commence on September 21.
Nguluvhe said the initiative was intended to ease the financial burden on families and ensure that every candidate had the basic requirements to write the examinations.
“No child should fail to write due to a lack of basic stationery,” he said.
The legislator also announced a scholarship initiative targeting vulnerable learners in the district.
Under the programme, the 10 best-performing pupils from vulnerable backgrounds, based on the 2026 Grade Seven examination results, will receive full boarding scholarships from Form One to Form Four.
Nguluvhe said the scholarships were part of efforts to improve access to quality education and encourage learners to perform well.
The support comes as schools across the constituency make final preparations for the examinations, with Nguluvhe thanking the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, school heads, teachers and parents for their contribution to learners’ education.
He also wished the candidates well in the forthcoming examinations, urging them to make Beitbridge East and Matabeleland South proud.