How is the Education System in Zimbabwe?

The Zimbabwean education system is made up of two years of pre-primary school – referred to as Early Childhood Development (ECD), which is offered to children from the age of 3 to 5 years – seven years of primary school and four to six years of secondary education, followed by higher education in the college and university system.

After 7 years, the students sit for the National Grade 7 examinations. There is a 4 year lower secondary education course that concludes with students taking “O” Level examinations, followed by 2 years of education in upper secondary after which the students sit for “A” Level examinations.

Some of the “O” Level graduates join training institutions such as polytechnics, technical colleges, teachers’ colleges and agricultural colleges and others, while others enter the job market. “A” Level graduates either enter into universities or training institutions. The Zimbabwe School Examination Council (ZIMSEC) sets all national examinations.

Countries like Nigeria have a different education system. Nigeria’s education system is based on the (1)-6-3-3-4 formula: one-year pre-primary education, six years primary, three years junior secondary, three years senior secondary, and a minimum of four years tertiary education.

And if we are to talk about Cameroon for example, the system is quite simpler; 6 years of primary education, 7 years of secondary education. Two certificates are awarded during the secondary education stage (GCE Ordinary level certificate in form 5 and the GCE Advanced Level in upper sixth).

higher education start after obtaining the GCE Advanced Level certificate for English speaking Cameroonians or the Baccaleaureat for the French-speaking Cameroonians.