By Own Correspondent

THE Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe(ARTUZ) has criticized the government over exorbitant examination fees highlighting that poor households will be pushed to the brinks of educational inequalities.

In a statement, the teachers grouping was responding to the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) circular outlining the 2025 Ordinary and Advanced Level examination fees.

They said from the look of things,  the government’s claims to subsidise examination fees for public school candidates  was a farce.

“The government’s assertion that it is subsidising examination fees for public school candidates is misleading and disingenuous. Year after year, the same narrative is repeated, yet there is no tangible evidence of such subsidies.

“ The fees paid by learners in public schools effectively cover the full cost of examinations, and the so-called “government subsidy” is merely a smokescreen to mask the state’s failure to fully fund basic education as mandated by Section 75 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe,” the union said.

ARTUZ posited that the US$ 11.00 and US$ 24.00 paid by public school candidates for Ordinary and Advanced Level subjects, respectively, already represent the full cost of the examinations.

“The government’s claim of covering 55% of the fees is a fabrication designed to create the illusion of support while shifting the burden onto parents and guardians,” the grouping said.

The teachers group said the circular’s restriction of ZWG payment dates to specific periods in March 2025  is unjust and discriminatory and argued that the policy disproportionately affects parents and guardians who may not have access to foreign currency and are forced to pay in local currency.

“ARTUZ reiterates its demand for a single examination board that serves all candidates, regardless of their socioeconomic status. The current system, which favours elites who can afford Cambridge examinations, is discriminatory and perpetuates inequality,” the teachers’ union added.