The government has announced the 2025 Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) examination fees for Ordinary Level (O-Level) and Advanced Level (A-Level) candidates, confirming that it will subsidize fees for students in public, local authority, and mission schools.
Candidates in private schools, private colleges, and those sitting as private candidates in public schools will pay the full examination costs. The full fees per subject are set at USD 24 for O-Level and USD 48 for A-Level. However, the government will cover 55% of the cost for eligible public school candidates, reducing their payments to USD 11 per O-Level subject and USD 22 per A-Level subject. The subsidy applies to seven O-Level subjects and four A-Level subjects, including Communication Skills. Candidates registering for additional subjects beyond these limits will bear the full cost for the extra subjects.
Candidates taking practical subjects, such as Food Technology and Design or Theatre Arts, will pay extra fees, ranging from USD 11 for public school candidates to USD 24 for private school candidates at O-Level. A-Level practical subjects will cost USD 22 for public school candidates and USD 48 for private school candidates. Late registration penalties were also outlined, with centres facing fines of USD 100 for O-Level and USD 150 for A-Level for late submission of entries. Candidates changing subjects will pay USD 1 per O-Level subject change and USD 22 per A-Level subject change.
ZIMSEC has instructed all payments to be made through designated bank accounts, with schools and centres responsible for collecting and depositing the fees. Individual candidates will not be allowed to make direct deposits. For those paying in local currency, the exchange rate will be determined on specific dates before payments are due. The deadlines for payments are set between 10 and 14 March 2025 for June exams and between 24 and 28 March 2025 for November exams.
The government’s move to continue subsidizing examination fees aligns with its commitment to improving access to education and ensuring affordability for students in public institutions.
