Zimbabwe Drops Maths Requirement for Some Language Teacher Trainees: What You Need to Know

Zimbabwe has removed Mathematics as a compulsory entry requirement for some prospective teachers who want to specialise in indigenous minority languages.

The change could open a new route into teacher training for applicants who have the required qualifications but previously could not enrol because they did not have a pass in O-Level Mathematics.

However, prospective students should take note: the Government has not removed Mathematics as an entry requirement for all teacher-training programmes.

Here is what we know about the new policy and who it applies to.

What has changed?

Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister Dr Frederick Shava announced that Mathematics will no longer be a compulsory prerequisite for entry into Indigenous Minority Languages teacher specialisation.

The change was introduced under Circular No. 1 of 2026 and took effect from the first semester of 2026.

The exemption is aimed at increasing the number of trained teachers who can teach Zimbabwe’s indigenous minority languages, some of which have historically faced shortages of qualified teachers and teaching materials.

Does this mean you can now train as a teacher without Maths?

Yes — but only in specific circumstances.

The announcement should not be interpreted to mean that anyone without O-Level Mathematics can now enrol for any teacher-training course in Zimbabwe.

The exemption relates specifically to students pursuing qualifying indigenous minority language specialisations.

Other teacher-training programmes may continue to require a Mathematics pass.

Applicants should therefore check the requirements of the specific college and programme they want to join before applying.

Which languages are affected?

Government’s initiative has particularly focused on increasing the number of teachers capable of teaching Zimbabwe’s indigenous languages.

Recent developments have included languages such as:

ChiNambya
ChiTonga
TjiKalanga
TshiVenda
SeSotho
IsiNdebele
ChiShona
The exact languages and specialisations available differ from one teachers’ college to another.

At Hillside Teachers’ College, for example, ChiNambya was recently added to the institution’s curriculum, bringing the number of indigenous languages offered there to seven.

Government has indicated that its indigenous-language teacher development initiative is being expanded nationally.

Why has Government removed the Maths requirement?

The policy is largely about addressing a practical problem: Zimbabwe needs more teachers who are able to teach indigenous languages, particularly minority languages.

Requiring Mathematics for admission could exclude otherwise suitable candidates who are proficient in these languages and academically capable of becoming language teachers.

Government says the change forms part of its broader efforts to preserve and develop indigenous languages under Heritage-Based Education 5.0.

Zimbabwe’s Constitution also recognises 16 official languages and requires the State to promote and advance the use of the country’s languages and create conditions for their development.

Hwange has already trained hundreds of indigenous-language teachers

One of the strongest examples of the Government’s indigenous-language teacher-training programme can be found at Hwange College of Education.

The college was established in 2019 and has placed particular emphasis on producing teachers competent in the languages spoken in Matabeleland North, including ChiTonga, ChiNambya and IsiNdebele.

According to figures announced by Minister Shava, the college has produced 326 ChiNambya and ChiTonga graduates since its establishment.

These comprise:

137 ChiNambya graduates — 13 male and 124 female
189 ChiTonga graduates — 77 male and 112 female
Government expects these teachers to help improve both the availability and quality of indigenous-language education in the communities where the languages are spoken.

An important distinction for Hwange College applicants

Prospective students should be careful not to confuse the new exemption with the requirements for every programme offered by colleges involved in indigenous-language education.

For example, Hwange College of Education’s advertised 2027 Diploma in Education Junior Programme currently requires at least five O-Level passes at Grade C or better, including:

English Language
Mathematics
Science
An officially recognised language
First-language speakers of ChiNambya and ChiTonga are particularly encouraged to apply.

That programme prepares primary-school teachers and is different from the secondary indigenous-minority-language specialisation covered by the recently announced Mathematics exemption.

This distinction is important for anyone considering applying without Mathematics.

What about Hillside Teachers’ College?

Hillside Teachers’ College is particularly relevant to the new policy because it trains secondary-school teachers and offers several indigenous-language specialisations.

Its programme offerings have included:

ChiNambya
ChiShona
ChiTonga
IsiNdebele
SeSotho
TjiKalanga
TshiVenda
The Government announcement concerning the Mathematics exemption was reiterated during Hillside’s 2026 graduation ceremony.

Prospective applicants without Mathematics who want to specialise in one of the qualifying indigenous minority languages should therefore check directly with the college regarding the programme and current admission procedure.

I failed Maths. Does this mean I should apply?

Potentially — if your intended teacher-training specialisation falls under the new exemption.

Do not simply submit an application to any teachers’ college on the assumption that Mathematics is no longer required.

Before paying an application fee, confirm three things:

Whether the college offers secondary teacher training in your indigenous language.
Whether that particular language specialisation falls under Circular No. 1 of 2026.
What other O-Level subjects and grades the college requires for admission.
The exemption removes one barrier, but applicants still have to satisfy the remaining academic and programme-specific requirements.

Why this policy could matter

The significance of the change goes beyond college admissions.

Zimbabwe has communities in which children grow up speaking languages that have historically had fewer trained teachers, textbooks and other educational resources available than the country’s more widely spoken languages.

Training more specialist language teachers could strengthen the teaching of those languages while helping preserve the country’s linguistic and cultural heritage.

There is also a legitimate policy question behind the change.

Should someone who wants to become, for example, a specialist ChiTonga or ChiNambya teacher be prevented from entering teacher training because they did not pass Mathematics?

Government’s answer, at least for qualifying indigenous minority-language specialisations, is now no.

OpenClass advice to prospective applicants

If you previously wanted to become a teacher but could not qualify because you did not have Mathematics, do not assume that teacher training is now automatically open to you — but it is worth checking again.

The new exemption may create an opportunity particularly for candidates who are proficient in indigenous minority languages and want to teach them at secondary-school level.

OpenClass will continue monitoring teachers’ college intakes to identify programmes where the new Mathematics exemption is being applied.

👉 Looking for a teachers’ college currently accepting applications?

Browse the latest Teacher Training College Intakes in Zimbabwe on OpenClass.

What do you think?

Should Mathematics be compulsory for someone training specifically to become a language teacher?

Or is subject expertise in the language they will eventually teach more important?

Share your thoughts in the comments.

Sources: Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development statements reported by The Herald and NewsDay/Southern Eye; Hwange College of Education; OpenClass Zimbabwe.