education system zimbabwe - nuffic · pdf fileeducation system zimbabwe l1 7 primary education...

Education system

Zimbabwe

The Zimbabwean education system described and compared with the Dutch system

Education system | Evaluation chart

Education system Zimbabwe

Education system Zimbabwe | EP-Nuffic | 1st edition, December 2015 | version 1, December 2015 2

This document provides information about the education system of Zimbabwe. It also includes the Dutch comparison of qualifications obtained in Zimbabwe.

Except where expressly stated otherwise and with the exception of images and illustrations, this publication is subject to the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC 3.0) Licence. For more information about the reuse of this publication please visit https://www.nuffic.nl/en/home/copyright.

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L1

7

Primary Education

L3

2

Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at Advanced Level(upper secondary school)

L4

3

Bachelor (General)(university education)

post

grad

uate

unde

rgra

duat

e

L5

1

Postgraduate Diploma(university education)

L7

3+

Doctor of Philosophy(PhD)

L6

1-2

Master(university education)

L2

4

Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at Ordinary Level(lower secondary school)

L4

3-5

Bachelor (Honours)(university education)

L0 Education level

0 Duration of education

Click here to view a sample of the diploma




Evaluation chart

The left side of the chart below lists the foreign degree, followed by the Dutch equivalent on the right along with the corresponding reference levels in the Dutch and European qualifications frameworks.

Foreign degree or qualification

Dutch equivalent and NLQF level EQF level

Zimbabwe General Certificate of

Education at Ordinary Level

(final result of A, B or C obtained for at

least 5 examination subjects)

VMBO-T diploma

2 2




least 6 examination subjects) plus the


Education at Advanced Level with at

least 1 subject.

HAVO diploma 4 4




least 5 examination subjects) plus the


Education at Advanced Level with at least

2 subjects.

at least a HAVO diploma 4 4

Bachelor's (General)

(3 years)

3 years of HBO or 1 year of WO 6 6

Bachelor's(Honours)

(3 years)

HBO bachelor’s degree or 2 years of WO 6 6

Bachelor's(Honours)

(4 years)

HBO or WO bachelor’s degree 6 6

Master's

(1 year)

HBO master’s degree or WO bachelor’s degree 7/6 7/6

Master's

(2 years)

WO master’s degree

7 7




NB: • The information provided in the table is a general recommendation from which no

rights may be derived. • NLQF = Dutch Qualifications Framework. EQF = European Qualifications

Framework. • The evaluation of a foreign qualification in terms of the EQF/NLQF does not

necessarily mean that all of the learning outcomes associated with these levels have been achieved.

• Information on the Dutch equivalent qualifications is available in the Netherlands Education System. See: www.nuffic.nl/en/library/education-system-the-netherlands.pdf

• The information regarding international study programmes at VMBO and MBO level is issued by SBB, the Cooperation Organisation for Vocational Education, Training and the Labour Market. The evaluation may vary if the diploma is being evaluated for purposes other than admission to higher education in the Netherlands.

http://www.nuffic.nl/en/library/education-system-the-netherlands.pdf

http://www.nuffic.nl/en/library/education-system-the-netherlands.pdf




Introduction

The country gained independence from the United Kingdom on 18 April 1980. Until this time, the majority of the population had only limited access to high quality education. The country has since invested in, amongst others, the construction of schools, the development of teacher-training programmes and the availability of resources. The education system has a 2-7-4-2-3+ structure. In other words: 2 years of pre-primary school (nursery school), 7 years of primary school, 4 years of lower secondary school, 2 years of upper secondary school and at least 3 years of higher education. General responsibility for education lies with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education. Students generally start grade 1 of primary education in the year that they turn 6. In the first 2 grades of primary education, lessons are conducted in the students' mother tongue. In rural areas, this is often Shona or Ndebele, while in urban areas it is English. From grade 3 onwards, lessons are conducted in English. All primary education is compulsory. The academic year runs from January to December and consists of trimesters, each separated by a one-month break.

Primary and secondary education

Most children in Zimbabwe go to nursery school between the ages of 4 and 6. Primary education is compulsory for children between the ages of 6-13 years and runs from grade 1 until grade 7. At the end of grade 7, pupils sit national examinations, which include the subjects English, maths and one indigenous language and one general paper. Due to a shortage of secondary schools in a number of poorer areas, as well as the fact that many parents can't afford to pay school fees, around 30% of grade 7 students do not progress to secondary education. The secondary education system is based on the British education system and is divided into lower secondary school and upper secondary school. Lower secondary school is for pupils between 13 and 16 years of age, while upper secondary school is for pupils between 16 and 18. Lower secondary school has a duration of 4 years and consists of forms I-IV. Form IV concludes with the national examination for the Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at Ordinary Level. The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) is




the examining body for these examinations. To obtain the certificate, students must achieve a pass in at least 5 subjects, including English, maths, science, history or one of the technical/vocational subjects. At the Ordinary Level, students can currently choose from 30 subjects in which they wish to sit examinations.

In terms of level, the Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at Ordinary Level

with an A, B or C for at least 5 examination subjects is comparable to a VMBO-T (theoretische leerweg) diploma in the

Netherlands.

After obtaining the Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at Ordinary Level, pupils may continue to the 2-year upper secondary school consisting of forms V and VI and concluding with the examinations for the Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at Advanced Level. Due to the limited number of available places, competition for access to upper secondary education is fierce. Selection is made based on the results achieved for the Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at Ordinary Level. The majority of Ordinary Level students therefore enter the labour market or progress to senior secondary vocational education at a technical school or a nursing or teaching college, for instance. At the end of form VI, pupils in upper secondary education sit examinations for the Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at Advanced Level. To be eligible for this certificate, pupils must obtain a passing grade in at least 2 subjects. Pupils at the Advanced Level can currently choose from a range of 24 subjects in which they can sit examinations.


with an A, B or C for at least 6 examination subjects plus the Zimbabwe General

Certificate of Education at Advanced Level with at least 1 subject is comparable to a

HAVO diploma in the Netherlands.





with an A, B or C for at least 5 examination subjects plus the Zimbabwe General

Certificate of Education at Advanced Level with at least 2 subjects is comparable to at least a HAVO diploma in the Netherlands.

Admission to higher education

For admission to a university bachelor's programme, the minimum requirement is that the student holds a Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at Ordinary Level with at least 5 passes, plus the Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at Advanced Level with at least 2 passes. Higher requirements can be set depending on the degree programme. Most universities conduct a selective admissions policy, which means in practice, good results should be achieved.

Higher education

When Zimbabwe gained independence, the country had only one national university: the University of Zimbabwe. Since this time, the number of higher education institutions in Zimbabwe has risen enormously. At the moment, there are 12 recognised universities, 9 recognised polytechnics and 12 recognised teacher colleges. General responsibility for higher education lies with the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education. Universities provide both academic higher education and higher professional education. These institutions offer both degree programmes and non-degree programmes. The former are concluded with an academic degree, the latter with a different qualification. The degrees awarded are bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorates, while the non-degree qualifications are known as certificates and diplomas. The universities are authorised to award academic degrees. The structure of the higher education system is divided into an undergraduate and postgraduate phase. Undergraduate education is generally concluded with a bachelor's degree. Some institutions also offer certificate or diploma programmes, which run for 1 and 2 years respectively. Postgraduate programmes are concluded with a master's degree or a doctorate.




University and higher professional education

Higher education in Zimbabwe distinguishes 2 types of bachelor's degrees: general bachelor's degrees and honours bachelor's degrees. In principle, both study programmes have a nominal length of 3 to 4 years. The distinction depends on the content of the programme. Honours degrees are also distinguished by the classification with which the degree is earned. This is stated on the certificate (e.g. upper second division). Bachelor (General) Most bachelor's programmes have a duration of 3 years. A general bachelor's programme can lead to an honours bachelor's programme if the student completes an additional year of study.

In terms of level, the Bachelor (General) following a nominal 3-year programme is

comparable to 3 years of higher professional education (HBO) or 1 year of

university education (WO) in the Netherlands, depending on the content and

type of study.

Bachelor (Honours) Most bachelor's programmes have a duration of 3 years. Study programmes in the engineering specialisation last 4 years. Programmes in medicine and veterinary medicine have a duration of 5 years.

In terms of level, the Bachelor (Honours) following a nominal 3-year programme is

comparable to an HBO bachelor’s degree or 2 years of university education (WO) in the Netherlands, depending on the content and

type of study.




In terms of level, the Bachelor (Honours) degree following a nominal 4-year

programme is comparable to an HBO or WO bachelor's degree in the Netherlands,

depending on the content and type of study.

Master The nominal duration of a master’s degree programme is 1 or 2 years. To be admitted to a master's programme, students must hold a bachelor's (honours) degree, usually with a lower second division classification at the least. In most cases, these study programmes continue the specialisation of the bachelor’s degree obtained previously. In principle, master’s programmes conclude with a thesis.

In terms of level, the Master following a nominal 1-year programme is comparable to an HBO master’s degree or WO bachelor’s

degree in the Netherlands, depending on the content and type of study.

In terms of level, the Master following a nominal 2-year programme is comparable to

a WO master’s degree in the Netherlands.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Following completion of a master's programme, students can be admitted to a university doctoral programme leading to the title of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). This degree is awarded following a period of at least 3 years of studies and research following a master's degree (although admission based on a bachelor's (honours) degree with excellent results is also possible), as well as the completion of a doctoral thesis.




Assessment systems

Both the Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at Ordinary Level and the Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at Advanced Level are assessed using grades of A to E, with A being the highest passing grade and E the lowest. At the Advanced Level, you can also receive grade O. This means that the pupil in question has not obtained a passing grade at the Advanced Level, but has done enough to earn what is known as a subsidiary pass. This subject does not count as a subject at the Advanced Level, but one level lower. The following assessment system is used within higher education. Bachelor's degrees also feature a class.

Surplus/(deficit) Description Classification

80-100% Distinction First Division

70-79% Merit Upper Second Division

60-69% Pass Lower Second Division

50-59% Pass Third Division

<50% Fail Fail

Qualification frameworks

Zimbabwe has not established a national qualifications framework.

Quality assurance and accreditation

The Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education has been responsible for the registration and accreditation of higher education institutions since 2006. Zimbabwe has no programme-accreditation system. Recognised higher education institutions can be found on the website of the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education. See www.mhtestd.gov.zw.

http://www.mhtestd.gov.zw/




International treaties

Zimbabwe has no international education agreements with other countries.

Addresses

www.mhtestd.gov.zw Website of the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education with an overview of recognised higher education institutions. www.mopse.gov.zw Website of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. www.zimche.ac.zw Website of the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education. www.zimsec.co.zw Website of the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council, with information about the Ordinary and Advanced Level examinations. www.s-bb.nl Website of the Cooperation Organisation for Vocational Education, Training and the Labour Market (SBB).

Composition of file

For admission to higher education, the Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at Ordinary Level must be handed over, as well as the Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at Advanced Level. Upon completion of a higher education programme, the diploma is awarded, generally featuring an overview of subjects and the study and examination results achieved.


http://www.mopse.gov.zw/

http://www.zimche.ac.zw/

http://www.zimsec.co.zw/

http://www.s-bb.nl/




List of higher education institutions

www.mhtestd.gov.zw Website of the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education with, amongst others, an overview of recognised higher education institutions.





Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at Ordinary Level




Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at Advanced Level




Bachelor of Science (Honours) - diploma




Bachelor of Science (Honours) – transcript (page 1)




Master of Science – diploma




Master of Science – transcript (page 1)




Master of Science – transcript (page 2)




Qualification Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at Ordinary Level

• general secondary education diploma (lower secondary) • grants access to upper secondary education programmes

This qualification is comparable to a VMBO-T (theoretische leerweg) diploma in the Netherlands, providing a final result of A, B or C has been obtained for at least 5 examination subjects.

This information is a general recommendation from which no rights may be derived.





Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at Advanced Level

• general secondary education diploma (upper secondary) • grants access to all higher education programmes in Zimbabwe

The Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at Ordinary Level with an A, B or C for at least 6 examination subjects, plus the Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at Advanced Level with a pass for at least 1 subject is comparable to a HAVO diploma in the Netherlands. The Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at Ordinary Level with an A, B or C for at least 5 examination subjects, plus the Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education with a pass for at least 2 subjects is comparable to at least a HAVO diploma in the Netherlands. This information is a general recommendation from which no rights may be derived.





Bachelor (Honours) (3 years)

• first cycle higher education diploma • grants access to master’s programmes in Zimbabwe

This qualification is comparable to an HBO bachelor’s degree or 2 years of university education (WO) in the Netherlands, depending on the content and type of study. This information is a general recommendation from which no rights may be derived.





Bachelor (Honours) (4 years)

• first cycle higher education diploma • grants access to master’s programmes in Zimbabwe

This qualification is comparable to an HBO or WO bachelor’s degree in the Netherlands, depending on the content and type of study. This information is a general recommendation from which no rights may be derived.





Master (1 year)

• second cycle higher education diploma • grants access to PhD programmes in Zimbabwe

This qualification is comparable to an HBO master's degree or WO bachelor's degree in the Netherlands, depending on the content and type of study. This information is a general recommendation from which no rights may be derived.





Master (2 years)

• second cycle higher education diploma • grants access to PhD programmes in Zimbabwe

This qualification is comparable to a WO master's degree in the Netherlands. This information is a general recommendation from which no rights may be derived.

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