As today marks the official start of the 2025 third term school calendar, there was a hive of activity from Saturday right through to Monday evening as boarders returned to their respective schools across the country.
Bus termini and pick-up points were a spectacle of anxious parents, excited learners, and the usual bustle of back-to-school traffic.
In Harare, parents and learners swarmed the downtown area in search of books, uniforms, and last-minute stationery.
Robert Mugabe Square and Market Square transformed into departure hubs, with learners boarding buses destined for different corners of the country.
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The atmosphere blended the chaos of deadlines with the excitement of fresh beginnings.
Vendors were visibly in high spirits, seizing the moment as families flooded the city centre.
“This is our January disease in September. When schools open, business moves.
“We are selling stationery, satchels, even snacks for the road. It’s a good start to the week,” one vendor told AfroGazette with a smile.
Learners, lugging heavy bags and dreams of excelling this term, also shared their excitement.
“I am happy to go back to school because I want to finish my coursework and prepare for exams. It’s stressful but I’m ready,” said a Form Four learner waiting to board a Mutare-bound bus.
Parents, however, wore mixed emotions—torn between financial strain and the relief of seeing their children back in class.
“The fees are heavy, but at least we are happy that our children are back in school.
“We just pray they make the most of this opportunity,” said one mother juggling her daughter’s satchel and a grocery bag.
