The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has authorized schools to hold holiday lessons for examination classes during the August 2026 break bu...
HARARE – The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has authorised schools to hold holiday lessons for examination classes during the August 2026 break but has limited the programme to 10 working days.
According to a circular issued by Permanent Secretary for Primary and Secondary Education Moses Mhike, Grade 7, Form Four and Upper Six learners will attend vacation school between August 7 and August 20, 2026.
Mhike said the lessons are meant to support examination candidates and help improve academic performance while ensuring schools continue implementing the ministry’s education reforms.
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“The holiday lessons will occur between 7 and 20 August, covering only ten working days,” said Mhike. He added that schools must observe Heroes Day and Defence Forces Day on August 11 and 12 and should not conduct lessons on those dates.
The ministry also stated that no holiday lessons will be allowed after August 20. Schools have been permitted to use weekends where necessary to complete the approved 10-day programme, depending on their designated worship days.
According to the circular, the arrangement is intended to balance learning with adequate rest for both pupils and teachers. The ministry said the approach also supports independent learning under the Heritage-Based Curriculum.
To regulate costs, the ministry introduced standard fees for vacation school. Grade 7 learners at primary schools will pay US$2 per learning area, while Form Four candidates will pay US$3 per subject.
Upper Six learners will pay US$5 per subject. Boarding pupils attending the programme will be required to pay an additional US$5 per day for upkeep.
The ministry directed schools not to charge above the approved fees. Mhike instructed schools to issue receipts for all payments and maintain proper accounting records for the programme.
Monitoring of the holiday lessons will be carried out by education inspectors, district literacy coordinators and remedial tutors. Reports on the programme are expected to be submitted by August 31.
The ministry expressed confidence that the vacation school programme would help examination candidates improve syllabus coverage, complete continuous assessment tasks and prepare adequately for their final examinations.
Zimbabwe’s third school term is scheduled to run from September 8 to December 3, 2026. The ministry said the holiday learning programme forms part of broader efforts to support Grade 7, Form Four and Upper Six candidates ahead of their examinations.
