The Zimbabwean government has rejected claims by Cambridge University Press & Assessment that learners will continue to have a choice of curriculum, insist...
The Zimbabwean government has rejected claims by Cambridge University Press & Assessment that learners will continue to have a choice of curriculum, insisting that the Heritage-Based Curriculum (HBC) is mandatory for all pupils in the country.
The disagreement emerged after Cambridge issued a statement on June 15, 2026, saying discussions with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education had clarified that learners would not be required to study both local and international curricula and would retain the freedom to choose.
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The issue has created uncertainty among parents, schools and learners over the future role of international examination systems as Zimbabwe continues implementing education reforms under the Heritage-Based Curriculum.
According to Cambridge, the clarification followed high-level engagements involving the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec), school associations and other stakeholders. First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa also attended some of the discussions.
Cambridge Sub-Saharan Africa managing director Louise Hendoy said learners would continue to have options regarding which curriculum they follow.
“Through these discussions, the ministry clarified that learners will continue to have a choice of curriculum and will not be expected to take both local and international curricula,” Hendoy said.
Cambridge also indicated that its next step would be to work with Zimsec on a structured review of the Heritage-Based Curriculum.
However, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education dismissed Cambridge’s interpretation, saying the statement did not reflect government policy.
“There is no choice of curriculum. The Heritage-Based Curriculum is mandatory for all pupils in Zimbabwe. This position has not changed and will not be altered by any engagements with external examination bodies,” ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro said.
Ndoro said the first national examinations under the Heritage-Based Curriculum will be written in 2028. He added that beginning next year, Zimsec will become the sole examination body responsible for all national examinations.
The ministry said international examination boards such as Cambridge have not been banned, but their qualifications will only serve as supplementary credentials. Ndoro said pupils may voluntarily sit for Cambridge examinations in addition to, but not instead of, the compulsory Zimsec examinations under the Heritage-Based Curriculum.
“We are not banning Cambridge or any other international examination board. Pupils may voluntarily sit for Cambridge examinations as an additional qualification, a supplementary one, but this does not replace or exempt them from the mandatory HBC and Zimsec-administered national examinations,” Ndoro said.
The ministry further accused Cambridge of creating confusion by suggesting that learners could choose between curricula.
“Any suggestion that pupils have a choice between curricula is incorrect and misleading. Cambridge’s statement does not reflect the policy direction of the government of Zimbabwe,” Ndoro said.
