ZIMSEC Faces Payment Crisis as Thousands of Examiners Go Unpaid
The Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (ZIMSEC) is in hot water for failing to pay nearly 8,000 examiners who marked Ordinary Level and Advanced Level scripts several weeks after the release of the 2025 examination results.
Examiners worked over a two-week period from December 7 to 22, 2025, but left their marking centres without receiving payment.
Many were expecting to earn around US$400, which includes travel and subsistence allowances.
ZIMSEC spokesperson Nicky Dhlamini acknowledged that some examiners remain unpaid, adding that the council is currently assessing the situation.
“I need to verify which subjects the examiners were marking before I can provide a detailed response,” Dhlamini stated.
However, a dissatisfied examiner, who requested anonymity, said that none of the markers had been compensated.
This examiner explained that markers were assigned to various locations nationwide based on their subjects.
“For instance, Ndebele was marked in Lupane, Geography in Mutare, O-Level Maths at the University of Zimbabwe, A-Level Maths in Bindura, and Business Studies and Accounts at Masvingo Polytechnic, among others,” the examiner noted.
According to the source, after deductions for travel and subsistence, each examiner was still entitled to approximately US$400.
“After T&S deductions, each examiner should take home at least $400 along with their allowances,” the examiner remarked.
Payment rates varied by subject, with Business Studies receiving the highest script rate at US$1.80.
Geography and Shona Paper 1 were next at $1.20, followed by Biology at $1.10, and Accounts at $1.
The examiner highlighted that delayed or missing payments have become a common issue at ZIMSEC, affecting even Grade Seven markers in prior years.
“This has been an ongoing problem, and Grade 7 markers have faced similar difficulties. The ZIMSEC officials are no longer answering our calls,” the examiner added.
The situation has led to significant frustration among examiners, many of whom depend on these allowances for their livelihoods, as pressure builds on ZIMSEC to swiftly address the payment crisis.
