ZIMSEC Exam Fee Subsidies to Be Phased Out: What Parents Need to Know About the 2027 and 2028 Changes

Government has approved changes to Zimbabwe’s ZIMSEC examination fee subsidy system, meaning many parents and guardians will have to meet the full cost of their children’s national examinations from 2027.

However, the changes will be introduced in stages, with some learners continuing to receive Government assistance in 2027 before further restrictions take effect in 2028.

The decision was announced following a Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday, 3 November 2026.

Why is Government changing the subsidy system?

Since 2020, Government has helped eligible families meet the cost of ZIMSEC examinations through a subsidy arrangement.

Initially, Government contributed 53% of examination fees, while parents paid 47%. In 2021, the Government contribution increased to 55%, leaving parents responsible for 45%.

However, Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said the arrangement had become increasingly difficult to sustain, particularly because it also benefited families capable of paying examination fees without Government assistance.

The revised system is intended to direct financial assistance towards learners from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Which pupils will still receive subsidies in 2027?

Under the new arrangement, Government will continue subsidising examination fees in 2027 for:

• Learners attending rural primary schools classified as P3.
• Learners attending rural secondary schools classified as S3.
• Learners attending satellite schools.
• Pupils benefiting from the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM).

Other learners who previously qualified for the general examination subsidy may now have to pay the full examination fees.

What changes in 2028?

From 2028, Government intends to restrict examination fee subsidies to qualifying BEAM beneficiaries only.

This means attending a rural or satellite school will no longer automatically qualify a learner for examination fee assistance under the announced framework.

Government is also reviewing the BEAM beneficiary list to ensure that assistance reaches learners from genuinely disadvantaged households.

How much more could parents pay?

The financial implications could be significant for families with children preparing for O-Level and A-Level examinations.

Under previously reported subsidised examination fees, parents paid approximately US$11 per O-Level subject and US$22 per A-Level subject.

The corresponding full examination fees were approximately US$24 and US$48 per subject.

Using those historical figures, a parent registering a child for eight O-Level subjects would pay approximately US$192 without a subsidy, compared with US$88 under the previous subsidised arrangement.

That represents an additional US$104.

For a learner registering three A-Level subjects, the equivalent figures would be US$144 without a subsidy compared with US$66 previously, an additional US$78.

Important: These calculations are illustrations based on previously reported fees. ZIMSEC has not yet been confirmed to have issued a new 2027 fee schedule under the revised model.

What should parents do now?

Parents with children preparing for national examinations in 2027 should establish whether their school or child will qualify for Government assistance.

Those whose children may no longer qualify should begin budgeting for the possibility of paying the full examination fees.

Parents who believe their children qualify for BEAM assistance should also consult their schools about the relevant eligibility and registration arrangements.

Further clarification is expected on implementation procedures and the applicable examination fees.

Is the new system fair to parents?

The changes raise important questions about affordability, particularly for families who do not qualify for BEAM but may still struggle to pay the full examination fees.

While Government argues that assistance should be directed towards the most vulnerable learners, some parents could face a substantial increase in education expenses.

The challenge will be ensuring that learners from financially struggling households are not prevented from sitting examinations simply because they fall outside the new subsidy categories.

OpenClass would like to hear from parents: Do you support Government’s decision to restrict ZIMSEC examination subsidies to disadvantaged learners, or should the subsidy remain available to all pupils in public schools?

OpenClass Zimbabwe — Helping parents make informed education decisions.