Zimsec Crippled by US$71 Million Debt as Exam System Nears Collapse
A staggering US$71 million debt owed by the government to the Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (Zimsec) is jeopardising the integrity, security, and delivery of national examinations across the country, according to a parliamentary report released in March 2025.
The Portfolio Committee on Education says the arrears — largely stemming from delayed reimbursements under the Basic Education Assistance Module (Beam) have crippled Zimsec’s ability to modernise infrastructure and maintain secure operations.
The committee highlighted that Zimsec urgently requires US$4 million to install a secondary examination processing line and backup equipment.
Without this investment, the council faces a single-point failure risk during overlapping exam cycles.
“This investment was said to be critical to ensuring uninterrupted printing of examinations and marking operations during concurrent cycles,” the report stated.
Security costs have emerged as a major financial strain.
Zimsec pays over US$1 million annually to the Zimbabwe Republic Police, with each officer costing US$22 per day.
During peak periods, the council spends up to US$13,645.19 daily on hired transport.
Due to space shortages, it also pays US$100 per day to archive materials at Bindura University.
According to the report cited by NewsDay, the US$71 million debt has stalled key capital projects.
The Midlands permanent office site, purchased in 2012 for US$145,000, remains undeveloped due to a lack of the estimated US$850,000 construction budget.
The Lupane regional hub requires US$1.2 million to break ground, while only the Matabeleland South Regional Hub in Gwanda — completed at a cost of US$1.7 million — meets Zimsec’s security and functionality standards.
In stark contrast, Bulawayo’s regional office operates from a dilapidated municipal building plagued by overcrowding, noise pollution, and an outdated sewer system.
Examination materials are stored at rented facilities such as Founders High School and the United College of Education, increasing logistical risks and compromising secure storage.
Plans for a provincial hub in Lupane remain in the design phase due to funding constraints.
Meanwhile, Bulawayo’s makeshift operations continue to suffer from acute file storage shortages, undermining administrative efficiency.
Remote districts like Binga and Gokwe face high logistical risks due to poor road networks and vast distances.
In Gokwe, exam scripts must travel over 150km on unpaved roads from Chaplin High School in Gweru.
In Matabeleland South, Nkashe Secondary School spends more than US$8,700 per cycle to transport papers just 20km.
The committee also flagged widespread delays in invigilator payments, which have triggered work stoppages and last-minute timetable changes.
“Although invigilation is officially a MoPSE-mandated duty for teachers, unpaid or late allowances have forced satellite schools such as Insukamini in the Midlands to wait longer for Zimsec officers to collect scripts, compelling teaching staff to juggle multiple roles and deepening burnout across an already skeletal workforce,” the report said.
It added, “While Zimsec does not disburse invigilation fees directly, these payment delays represent a critical operational bottleneck.”
The committee concluded that without urgent financial intervention and infrastructure investment, Zimsec’s ability to deliver credible examinations is at serious risk — a warning that could have far-reaching implications for Zimbabwe’s education system.
