Herald Reporter
All is set for the opening of the first school term of 2026 tomorrow, as learning institutions across the country prepare to receive learners amid heightened activity by parents and pupils completing last-minute travel and preparations.
In an interview yesterday, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerai Moyo said the Government is ready for schools’ reopening, while over the weekend, parents were making the final preparations for their children, with most Form One borders having already travelled to their new schools for orientation as they begin a fresh chapter in their education journey.
“We are opening the new term, the first term for 2026, and in terms of preparedness, we are 100 percent ready to kick-start the term,” said Minister Moyo in an interview with The Herald.
“The year is very short. As you are aware, Grade Seven examinations start in September, so we expect a high level of professionalism from our teachers and that lessons will commence without delay.”
Minister Moyo stated that Government officials would be in the field from the first day of the term, monitoring schools nationwide to ensure a smooth and orderly opening.
“I will personally be visiting schools from Monday, starting in Manicaland and proceeding to other districts, to ensure that the term begins on a very high note,” he said.
The Herald’s surveys conducted over the weekend showed that Form One pupils, particularly boarders, began travelling to their new schools on Saturday and Sunday, with many more expected to arrive today.
Bus termini like Robert Mugabe Square and Fourth Street, highways and school gates were a hive of activity as children, some accompanied by parents or guardians embarked on a new chapter of their education.
Minister Moyo said boarding school pupils were expected to travel in an organised and safe manner, with clear measures in place to protect learners.
“For boarding school pupils, travel must be conducted using official school or hired buses under teacher supervision, or parents driving their children to school,” he said.
He added that for day scholars, many schools had put in place structured transport arrangements, while the Ministry of Transport, local authorities and the Zimbabwe Republic Police ensured the safety and dignity of pupils during their daily commute.
On school fees, Minister Moyo reiterated that Zimbabwe operates under a multi-currency regime and that parents are free to pay fees in the currency of their choice.
“Parents and guardians may pay school fees in Zimbabwe Gold or in foreign currencies such as the US dollar, the rand, the pound or the pula. What is illegal is for schools to force parents to pay exclusively in US dollars, and those who violate the law will be punished,” he said.
As the school bell rings tomorrow, the Government is confident that the 2026 academic year will begin smoothly, with teachers ready to impart knowledge and pupils ready to learn from day one.
Towards that goal, all teachers have been enjoined to report for duty tomorrow with fully prepared and approved schemes, with Government warning there will be zero tolerance for unprofessional conduct in the academic year.
“All our teachers have started the skilling process, and by Monday, the 12th of January, (today) every teacher is expected to have submitted his or her schemes of work to their supervisors,” said Minister Moyo.
He said supervisors, including headmasters, heads of departments and school inspectors, had been directed to ensure strict compliance, with the Ministry set to roll out nationwide inspections across all 10 provinces.
“This year is very short. Grade Seven examinations will start in September, so there is no time to waste,” said Minister Moyo. “We expect a high level of professionalism. Any teacher found without schemes of work will be found wanting.”
The Minister said he would personally be on the ground from the opening of schools, visiting institutions to assess preparedness.
“People know me as someone who moves around schools looking at schemes of work and records of marks, and that is exactly what I will be doing,” he said.
“By Monday, I will be in Manicaland, and on Tuesday I will be in the Buhera District monitoring the situation to ensure the term begins on a very high note, with lessons starting immediately.”
He said teachers on teaching practice were equally expected to be ready, with completed lesson plans in place before learners return to class.
“Those on internship must have done their lesson planning so that when the term begins, all our students are ready to learn,” he said.
As schools reopen amid heightened scrutiny, Minister Moyo said the message to teachers was clear: preparedness is not optional.
He also warned school authorities against forcing parents to buy uniforms from specific suppliers or from schools themselves, describing the practice as a violation of Government policy.
“It is against Government policy to compel parents or students to buy uniforms at a selected school,” he said. “If schools choose to manufacture uniforms as an enterprise, prices must be lower than those charged by retail shops.”
Minister Moyo said statutory instruments were in place to discipline offenders, including charging headmasters or deputies who compel parents to buy uniforms.
To protect parents and learners, the Ministry has revived district, provincial and national command centres where complaints can be lodged.
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